I used to joke with my fellow students who said they were “Persian” that I was “Macedonian”; but then Macedon became a nation again! Now I joke that I am a “Thracian”.
It is a silly joke, I know. The Persian people are the last ones who should catch any flak for the actions of the Iranian mullahs - and thus the avoidance of saying they are “Iranian”.
Is there a difference in meaning in the original language? Would saying “Persian” mean that you are of that race of people while “Iranian” means you are part of (or a supporter of) that nation/political system?
In English it sort of makes sense, but in another language the words might not even be different. Are they?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/02/obama_and_egypt_has_he_handled.html
Obama and Egypt: has he handled it well?
you can vote.
Iran for centuries - even as we know it today - has consisted of many different ethnic groups (other than ethnic “Persians”), religions, dialects & languages, and so on.. Many are “Iranic” people, others are not.
“Iranian” refers to the country of Iran, is a nationality, is all encompassing of those abovementioned groups & is the correct term to use for Iran (pronounced “e-raan”), present or past, pre or post Islam.
Persian often refers to the Persian ethnicity, language, the broader Persian (Iranian) culture, Persian carpet, etc...
I can very much appreciate those Iranians wanting to distance & differentiate themselves from the “Iranian Mullahs” by presenting themselves as “Persians” outside Iran & to foreigners.
My personal view is that both Persian and/or Iranian are perfectly appropriate & acceptable.
Don’t know how much you already know about Iran & various associated aspects such as history, languages, ethnicities, religions, etc.. - Take a look at the info & exchange of comments & links in this earlier FR thread. Posts #5 to #10 may answer at least some of your questions.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2446913/posts?page=9#9
Happy to discuss any other related points later on.