there's a lot more than .02% that aren't actually muslim and will say they're persian and don't identify with a major religion as much as with their Persian heritage… and it is a clerical state so many are indeed forced to represent themselves as muslim, participate in islamic law and culture etc.. the idea that iran is 99% Islam is Iranian government propaganda. If you talk to Iranians abroad they'll say "no way, tons of iranians in Iran are not muslim"
I've spoken with only a handful.. but this has been common knowledge.. i'm surprised to see this being debated here, but also not surprised I guess..
thats a more realistic figure… on the other side you have anti-regime propaganda with estimates of 40-50% muslim.. but I agree that its effectively a majority muslim country and 70-80% might be more realistic than 40 or 99
well you are correct, but keep in mind you as an american or european thinking the people celebrating in the street represents the majority is akin to a chinese person thinking BLM reflects the majority of American sentiment