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People group profile · PG024220

The Talysh of Iran

The Talysh of Iran, numbering about 148,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are an Iranian ethnic group primarily residing in the Talysh region, which spans the western shore of the Caspian Sea in both Iran and Azerbaijan.

They are an indigenous people in the Talysh people cluster of the Persian-Median Peoples. Their primary religion is Shia Islam, and they primarily speak Talysh.

Pray for the TalyshPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Talysh people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash: Talysh

Fast facts

Country
Iran
Population
148,000
Affinity group
Central Asian Peoples
People cluster
Talysh
Primary language
Talysh (tly)
Primary religion
Shia Islam
Strategic Progress Index
Unengaged and Unreached
Evangelical
Less than 2%
GSEC
Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
Lostness priority
Frontier Unreached People Group
Also known as
Talush, Talyshon, Talishi, Taleshi, Talyshi
Region
Southern Asia, Asia

Where they live

Gospel status

The Talysh are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Talysh

  • Pray that God would send workers to this people group
  • Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
  • Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice

Primary religion

Shia Islam · Islam

95% adherents

Primary language

Talysh · Indo-European family

100% speak Talysh

Gospel resources in Talysh

  • Bible available
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs not available
  • Gospel recordings not available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Talysh

  1. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  3. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  4. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.

Download a prayer guide

Talysh in other countries

The same people (ROP3 109766) is reported in 1 other country.

People groupCountryPopulationStatus
TalyshAzerbaijan134,000Engaged yet Unreached

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