*Convergent Collective Identity in Contemporary Iran

Collective identity, as the highest binding force of social cohesion, plays a pivotal role in maintaining structural stability and social integration within modern nation-states. In the historical context of Iran, the multiplicity of identity sources has consistently provided the ground for political contestation among various strands of collective identities. This study seeks to answer the question of which collective identity in Iran has functioned as a driver of national convergence. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, the research evaluates competing identities based on six components: central idea, source of legitimacy, level of belonging, constituent elements, integrative function, and state of equilibrium. The findings indicate that mono-dimensional identities, due to their neglect of segments of Iran’s historical memory, possess a high potential for generating divergence and eroding social cohesion. In contrast, national identity articulated through an Iranian–Islamic discourse, by creating a dynamic synthesis between civilizational heritage and sacred values, demonstrates a unique capacity to mitigate internal conflicts. Empirical evidence—particularly in resistance against U.S. and Israeli aggressions during the twelve-day war in Esfand—confirms the superiority of this variable in mobilizing public will and strengthening national bonds. The study concludes that the suspension of micro-level identity boundaries and the activation of the dominant Iranian–Islamic identity constitute the most significant deterrent against internal centrifugal forces and external threats. Achieving sustainable consensus in Iran’s political sphere requires the preservation of this vital factor and the avoidance of both excess and deficiency in reinterpreting identity components. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .