Religion plays a central role in the legal, political, and cultural life of Iran.
* **State Religion:** The official state religion is **Twelver Shia Islam**, practiced by the vast majority of the population. * **Holy Cities:** **Mashhad** is home to the spectacular Imam Reza Shrine, drawing millions of pilgrims annually. **Qom** is the primary center for Shia Islamic scholarship and seminary training. * **Minorities:** Iran has a minority population of Sunni Muslims. The constitution also officially recognizes three religious minorities: **Christians** (primarily the Armenian Apostolic Church), **Jews**, and **Zoroastrians**. * **Zoroastrianism:** As the ancient, pre-Islamic religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism retains a deep cultural footprint, particularly in cities like Yazd, and informs major national holidays like Nowruz.