Many left after the Islamic revolution in 1979, when the pro-Western Shah was swept aside, and remain solidly opposed to Iran's clerical government.

But a new generation, raised in the West yet influenced by the Iranian values of their families, is beginning to address the thorny issues of identity and belonging.

Seven Iranians from different parts of the world told the BBC about their relationship with the land of their birth and their sense of identity.

Sara: London, England "There is always the fear that we are living for today" Radman Rabii: Ontario, Canada "You only ever see the negative aspects of Iran in the news" A Van Engeland: Paris, France "If there is a war I will go back"

Soroosh Khavari: Glasgow, Scotland "I feel sad I cannot experience the country of my birth" S Khorsandi: London, England "I feel that Britain is my adoptive parent" R Shokouhi: California, US "Most Iranians here are against the regime"

Darioush Dadgar
Missouri, US

The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider public opinion.