The article chronicles significant events in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the 1979 hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran to the widespread protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. It details various political, military, and social incidents, including the Iran-Iraq War, internal purges, assassinations, and the impact of international sanctions. The narrative also covers the election of presidents, changes in the constitution, and Iran's contentious nuclear program. The article concludes with the 2023 covert involvement of Iran in training Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, suggesting Iran's indirect engagement in a shadow war with Israel.

Southwest Asia, one of the world's most arid regions, faces severe water scarcity and contamination challenges. Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan each confront unique aspects of the crisis, with inadequate infrastructure, political instability, and overconsumption exacerbating the situation. Kabul's public water network fails to meet demand, leading to illegal deep wells and potential mass migration. Iran's lakes, including Lake Hamoun, are disappearing due to climate change, excessive water use, and a disregard for environmental treaties. Pakistan's water pollution causes tens of thousands of deaths annually, with contaminated groundwater and inadequate waste treatment facilities. The crisis demands rapid and radical solutions from all three countries.

The Iranian public is divided over the nuclear agreement, with some expressing indifference and others concern. Merchants in Tehran are hopeful about Europe's opposition to the US withdrawal from the deal, while others worry about Iran's international image. Hardliners in the regime, originally against the agreement, criticize President Rohani's government following the US withdrawal. Students and anonymous writers believe the sanctions benefit an oligarchy that controls the economy and institutions, and that the lifted sanctions have not improved the lives of ordinary Iranians. Nationalist secularists have mixed views on Trump's withdrawal, with some seeing it as detrimental to the fight against the Islamic regime. Dissident Mohammad Noorizad claims that the regime is fragile and must renegotiate the agreement as per Trump's wishes.

The discovery of Reza Shah's mummified body has sparked widespread interest and debate among Iranians, particularly on social media. Reza Shah is recognized as the founder of modern Iran, and despite the Islamic Republic's tradition of erasing traces of previous dynasties, his legacy is now being revisited with reverence, especially by the younger generation disillusioned with the current regime. The Islamic Republic faces a dilemma regarding the handling of the body, with public pressure mounting for information on its whereabouts. Amidst this, the government has blocked Telegram, a popular messaging network in Iran, citing its use by opposition groups.

Today's Iran is a land of contrasts, with slums and poverty on one side and a minority characterized by waste and luxury on the other. The article describes the behavior of the newly rich, such as not greeting taxi drivers as a sign of status, and the story of Reza, who became wealthy through mobile phone trade and is known for his extravagant spending and reckless driving. Homâ, another character, is on a mission to construct a glorious past for her family by purchasing antiques. The article also touches on the economic and political fragility of Iran, which instills a sense of vulnerability in these nouveau riche individuals.

The Iranian economy has seen relief since the nuclear agreement, with sanctions lifted and economic indicators improving. However, President Trump's refusal to certify the agreement and potential reimposition of sanctions could jeopardize this progress. The UN and EU confirm Iran's compliance, but Trump criticizes the deal, targeting Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. The Treasury Department blacklisted three Iranian companies for supporting the Guards. The future of Iran's economy and its influence in the Middle East remains uncertain as the US navigates its foreign policy.

Hassan Rouhani, re-elected as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, faces the challenge of reviving the economy and improving Iran's international image. The 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement with the 5+1 group and the EU allowed Iran to reconnect with the Western world and begin lifting economic sanctions, leading to a partial recovery of frozen assets abroad. Despite official reports of economic growth and reduced inflation, the banking system's inadequacies and high unemployment rates, especially among youth, remain significant issues. The oil sector has seen foreign investment from companies like Shell and Total, and Iran has modernized its air fleet with deals from Airbus and Boeing. However, the Trump administration's stance and internal political dynamics pose uncertainties for Iran's economic future and human rights situation, as highlighted by Amnesty International's reports on increased executions and repression.

The upcoming Iranian presidential election has brought youth unemployment to the forefront, with varying unemployment rates reported between 35% and 40%. Economists have criticized President Hassan Rohani for prioritizing nuclear negotiations over economic policies, leading to recession and business failures. Candidates propose different solutions to address unemployment, with Rohani focusing on economic system transformation, Ebrahim Raissi advocating for a welfare state, Mostafa Mirsalim emphasizing family values, and Mostafa Hashemitaba calling for sociological insights. Over 50 economists have recently blamed the previous governments for the current unemployment crisis, highlighting the complexity of the issue.

The immigration decree by Donald Trump, targeting nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran, has caused significant frustration among Iranians, who find it hard to digest being equated with jihadist terrorism. The decree has inadvertently united some Iranian opponents and the general discontented population with the regime, even among the diaspora in the United States. The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and other pro-Iranian lobbies in the US are expected to gain more ground due to the decree. Iran's Foreign Minister has condemned the decree and announced reciprocal measures. High-profile reactions include Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi's refusal to attend the Oscars. The article also highlights the contributions of Iranian-Americans to the US, such as in NASA and media, while noting the diminished international prestige of Iran since the establishment of the Islamic Republic.

The Twelfth Imam of the Shiite Duodecimains, Mohammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to reappear at the end of times, is said to have made an appearance a millennium ago at the Jamkarân Mosque near Qom, Iran, which has since become a pilgrimage site, especially on Tuesdays. The mosque's current splendor is credited to the government of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was a passionate advocate of Mahdavism and invested significantly in the mosque's construction and a railway line connecting Tehran to Jamkarân. A recent social media rumor claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' publication warned drug-addicted pilgrims against throwing drugs into the mosque's 'well of petitions,' fearing the hidden Imam could become an addict. The Guards had to deny officially the publication of such an editorial. The anecdote reflects the paradox of a society where traditional beliefs, political power, and rational, progressive populations coexist.

Hachémi Rafsandjani, a key political figure in Iran, has passed away. Born into a pistachio-farming family, he became a successful businessman and a prominent political agitator. He was a disciple of Ayatollah Khomeiny and held various influential positions, including the presidency of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Council of the Guardians of the Constitution. Rafsanjani shaped the institutions of the Islamic Republic, was involved in the Iran-Iraq War, and sought to balance traditionalist and revolutionary elements within Shiite Islam. He supported economic development and was accused of involvement in political assassinations. Despite setbacks, he remained a significant figure until his death, advocating for moderation and supporting Hassan Rohani's presidency.

UNESCO has approved the inclusion of Iran's qanats on the World Heritage list, recognizing their ancient architecture and significance in water distribution across six provinces. Originating over three thousand years ago in Persia, the qanat system spread across Asia and North Africa, influencing various cultures. The qanat 'Qasabeh' in Gonabad and the qanat of Zarch are notable examples, with the latter being the longest in Iran. Despite the decline in operational qanats from 50,000 to 33,000 due to overconsumption of water and unregulated well drilling, qanats remain resilient to natural and human disasters. Historical accounts by figures like Polybe and Callisthenes highlight the qanats' role in water management and societal impact.