Final answer:
The Kurdish peoples of Iran differ from other Kurds in the region through their integration into Persian and Shia-dominated Iran, whereas others are often Sunni Muslims with varying degrees of cultural and political autonomy. Their unique circumstance within Iran shapes their identity and political experiences differently from that of Kurdish populations in other countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kurdish peoples of Iran are distinguished from other Kurds living in South Asia and the broader Middle East primarily through their systematic integration within the Persian and Shia dominant society of Iran. Kurds in Iran, numbering around eight million, are part of a broader Kurdish population scattered across the region, with a significant presence in Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. Unlike many of their counterparts, the Kurdish community in Iran has experienced influences from the Persian culture and Shia Islam which is prevalent throughout the country, whereas Kurds in places like Iraq and Turkey are often Sunni Muslims and have distinct cultural practices compared to the Persian and Shia traditions of Iran.
Historically, Kurds have maintained a unique ethnic identity with their own language and culture. Since the Kurds are spread across several national borders and have faced political challenges when asserting their desire for a homeland called Kurdistan, there has been significant cultural and political variation among Kurdish groups. Kurds in Iran, for example, have been involved in the country's political landscape and experienced different degrees of resistance and integration compared to Kurds in other countries, where they might still be vying for autonomy or even independence, as seen in the unsuccessful appeals for an independent Kurdistan to the UN in 1945.
Throughout history, Kurds living in Iran have faced periods of political unrest and resistance both from within and outside Iran, especially during times of major conflict in the region. However, they share the broader Kurdish aspiration for recognition and autonomy, although their experiences are nuanced by the particularities of Iranian society and politics.