According to wikipedia there is an estimated two million people who left Iran in the immediate aftermath of the 1978–1979 Revolution.
This initial wave, comprising royalty, elites, and supporters of the former regime, marked the start of a large, enduring diaspora, with total Iranians living abroad now exceeding 4 million, including those who fled later.
- Initial Wave (1979-1980s): Roughly 2 million people left following the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
- Targeted Demographic: This included officials of the Shah's regime, intellectuals and a significant portion of Iran's Jewish community, with about 30,000 Jews leaving in the first few months.
- Total Diaspora (2026): By 2021, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs data indicated over 4 million Iranians lived abroad. Major destinations include the US, Canada, Europe and Turkey.
While the immediate post-1979 migration was large, the diaspora continues to grow due to ongoing economic and political factors.
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