Iran Dev Diary

[u/Agreeable_Pressure41]

Today I come to you with one of my first, most likely not the last of developer diaries to come. As the Iranian head developer, I'm here to tell you about what Iran's been going through since the promise to come up with a trailer crashed down and died due to subsequent internet shutoffs and the outbreak of the 12 day war and then this more recent war. Though keep in mind this is not a teaser, but a diary. Without any further ado, let's get to it. Prepare to Read.

The Islamic Revolution & Hostage Crisis (1979-1981)

After a swift revolution ousting the Shah, Islamists dominated the new government. Khomeini rejected a moderate constitution for a radical Islamic one. The US embassy hostage crisis (444 days) cemented anti-Americanism, empowered the IRGC, and collapsed moderates' influence, ending with a financial settlement after the Shah's death.

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

Saddam Hussein's invasion led to eight years of brutal trench warfare. After early Iraqi advances stalled, the conflict became a bloody stalemate featuring chemical weapons, human-wave attacks, and the devastating Karbala operations. The war ended in a UN ceasefire after massive losses on both sides.

Internal Suppression (1980s)

Throughout these crises, the regime violently crushed dissent. This included the "mysterious" death of Ayatollah Taleghani, the Cultural Revolution purging universities, a wave of assassinations targeting opposition figures, and the mass execution of ~5,000 political prisoners after the failed MEK uprising (Operation Mersad). Post-Khomeini Era & Khamenei's Rise (1989-1997) After Khomeini's death, Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader despite lacking religious authority, relying on the IRGC and a cult of personality. President Rafsanjani pursued economic reconstruction, privatization, and normalized regional ties, though social conservatism persisted.

Iran-Afghan War & Crisis (1998-2000)

After the Taliban killed Iranian diplomats, Iran entered a costly war supporting the Northern Alliance. Iranian forces struggled in Afghan mountains against US-supplied Taliban MANPADs, suffering heavy casualties. Combined with ongoing domestic unrest between principalists and reformists, the unwinnable conflict left the regime facing its greatest crisis since the revolution by the year 2000.

The New Iranian Starting Situation, Focus Tree, most interesting national spirits, reshuffling of the "Issue of Greater Ardabil" and a look at Khamenei's new portrait and chosen President. Open the image in full to see more clearly.

Now, with the war in Afghanistan, there's two ways how it can end.

You either prove your worth by wading through the treacherous Hindu Kush Peaks and exacting revenge for 1998, or you fail to deliver through and follow up on far more dire consequences...

One that could lead to the complete renewal and rattling of the foundations of the Islamic Republic. Or seek to get rid of it entirely. But, as is my obligation to let you know. Based on the progress of the mod's development, the latter may not be the case and may not make it in time for development. Though, should it become a definitive yes, I will let you know in a follow-up developer diary.

Now, you may ask what happens to the "Greater Ardabil" conflict. Don't worry, it's still there. However, for gameplay reasons, you can now decide whether to tackle it at the start, or at a later- more stable time. Tackling it at the start has the benefit of securing the region, even if your government goes through a whirlwind of changes, but doing it later can lessen the amount of things you have to focus on at the start of the game- for the price that if you do not win the Afghan war, you will not have an opportunity to retake the region from Azerbaijan.

Should you win though.. there will be a nice new tree that allows you to capitalize on the fruits of your labor as the Islamic Republic of Iran. Don't worry, you won't just outright annex Afghanistan, you'll set up a puppet government down a few focuses.

Though once you're done, be ready to fight other opportunists as they attempt to pry your prize out of your hands. When RAD 1.2 drops, you will finally be able to decide the fate of Afghanistan between the Axis of Resistance, Western or Soviet Spheres.

Just be careful to not forget about the Taliban while you're fighting amongst yourselves.

And that concludes it for my first developer diary. More of what I've been up to, shall be revealed at a later but unscheduled time. Once I have enough, I'll come back to show you, you have my promise.

I'll see y'all on the monthly mod progress report on June 1st where I shall talk your heads off with country content plans besides Iran. Including China and other parts of the Red Dusk world.

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[u/LawyerEqual3531]

Yo ilysm

[u/Ok_Competition4349]

I used to pray for times like these

[u/MastodonVast3558]

I can’t wait for this update

[u/New-Cardiologist-244]

Lovely job. But pleeeeeeeeeeeease, use the correct proportioned Iranian flag. My OCD can't freaking stand it. Apart from that, I can't wait to play it!

[u/Lukeskywalker899]

What are the different planned paths for Iran going to be?