Religious Minorities-States Relations in Modern Iran from Safavid Era to the Islamic Republic: Policies and Implications

Formation of the Safavid Dynasty is considered to be the beginning of modern Iranian history. It led to the creation of two important historical transformations in the country: namely, the reemergence of Iran as a nation-state based on an independent national identity; and the declaration of Shiite Islam as the official religion in Iran. The latter made Shiite jurisprudence the basis for regulating legal relationships in the country. Several monarchical dynasties followed until the Islamic Republic System came into power. Iranian sociopolitical history has therefore been marked by frequent transformations. These changes in power structure and policies have influenced religious minorities’ social living conditions and rights. In the present study, I will outline government policies regarding religious minorities after the formation of the Safavid Dynasty, describe the factors that have affected the formation of or changes in these policies, and explain how these policies have impacted religious tolerance or intolerance in Iran.