The attached sections of The New Encyclopedia Britannica and Iran: A Country Study provide information on the Zartusht religion (Zoroastrianism).

With the exception of the attached BBC report, sources consulted by the DIRB do not provide information on the status of Zoroastrians in Iran in 1994-95.

A representative of the Iranian Association of Toronto stated that, in different languages, "Zartusht," "Zarathushtra" and "Zoroaster" are all the names of the prophet of Zoroastrianism who established that religion in Iran a few thousand years ago. Zoroastrianism is also known as the Zartusht (Zarathustra) religion (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 13 July 1994. "Armenian and Zoroastrian Clergy Condemn MKO, Profess Freedom of Worship." (NEXIS)

Iran: A Country Study. 1989. Ed. Helen Chapin Metz. Washington, DC: The Department of the Army, p. 129.

The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1989. 15th ed. Vol. 12. Edited by Philip W. Goetz. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannia, pp. 935-936.