Despite its numerous attempts to encourage unity among different sects of Islam, the Islamic Republic has been unsuccessful in creating amicable relations with its own Sunni Muslim citizens. Therefore, every once in a while in different regions of the country, there is tension between the government and the Sunni community. These conflicts are evidence of historical problems between the two sides.
Sunni Iranians are usually scattered across the border regions of Iran. A majority of them live in Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, Golestan, Sistan and Baluchistan, and Northern and Southern Khorasan. There are also smaller communities in provinces bordering those mentioned above, as well as in metropolises.
