In Times of Uncertainty, Iran Looks Back: Rediscovering Ancient Persia to Navigate Modern Crises

On the evening of November 7, 2025, a crowd gathered in central Tehran to witness the unveiling of a new statue: Shapur I, depicted in the act of defeating the Roman Emperor Valerian. The scene was visually striking, but its significance ran deeper. Iran has long maintained an uneasy relationship with its pre-Islamic past, oscillating between pride and ideological caution. Yet recently, and especially after the so-called “Twelve Day War” with Israel, ancient Persia has returned to the forefront of public discourse with renewed prominence.