Meta: I applaud such an article about our friends past (and our own²) in times when once again "the hate machine" tries to alienate us.
² Few people are aware of just how close the Iranians are to us historically, culturally, genetically, and linguistically.
If it wasn't for the Muslim conquest of 651, we would immediately recognize their words for family members:
Farsi | transcribed | english
مامان mâmân mother
مادر mâdar mother(formal)
بابا bâbâ father
پدر pedar father(formal)
دختر doxtar daughter
برادر barâdar brother
This of course is just the tip of the iceberg.