Salafism is an orthodox movement associated with political Islam that defines itself mainly through the negation of opposing ideologies and practices. Although a minority, Salafist movements have gained traction across parts of the Islamic world. This article examines an emerging branch of Salafism in Iranian Kurdistan (Known as Rojhelat). It employs narrative analysis to examine Sunni Kurds in Iran, with participants selected through purposive and maximum-variation sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that Salafists advocate for a maximalist interpretation of Islam, envisioning a Quran-centric society where Da’wah and jihad are deemed essential for establishing an Islamic state. They attribute shifts in Islamic lifestyle and attire to the weakening of Da’wah, governmental neglect, Westernization, and the erosion of the family’s socializing role. While they promote a form of conditional tolerance toward other Islamic groups, as well as non-conforming Muslims and perceived hidden enemies, their distrust of the Islamic Republic of Iran remains pronounced, criticizing the regime for reducing religion to mere rituals and failing to recognize true Sunni Kurds. However, given their prioritization of resisting Western influence and the security constraints within Iran, Salafists have primarily concentrated their efforts on Islamic Da’wah rather than confrontation with the state.

Single childhood is a growing social phenomenon in Iran that occurs under the influence of various factors that need to be identified. Therefore, the current research was conducted to explain the reasons behind only single children in Western Iran. This qualitative research was conducted using a conventional qualitative content analysis approach in Lorestan province, western Iran. The study participants were parents with one child who no longer wanted to have more children. Key informants were also involved in the study. To identify participants, purposive and snowball sampling were used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 29 couples with one child and seven key informants until saturation was reached. Data analysis was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman qualitative content analysis approach with the assistance of MAXQDA software (version 2020). Analysis of the interviews obtained four categories, 16 subcategories, and 205 initial codes. The main categories were (1) past negative experiences (concerns about the mother and child’s health, negative experiences with the first child), (2) weak support systems (lack of a supportive environment, dissatisfaction with married life), (3) changing social discourses on childbearing and parenting (spread of individualism, normalization of single-childing in society, considering having a child as more of a limitation, formation of new gender attitudes among women, changes in parental expectations of children, fading of religious beliefs encouraging childbearing, idealism in child-rearing, increased knowledge and access to contraceptives), and (4) inability to overcome challenges (financial challenges, lack of a suitable living environment, social hopelessness, missing opportunities for re-parenthood). Single-child families represent a complex phenomenon driven by a multitude of factors, necessitating interventions at the individual, family, and societal levels to address it. Enhancing financial support, expanding social welfare programmes, emphasizing religious norms that encourage childbearing, strengthening family bonds, and providing appropriate parenting models can potentially increase fertility intentions and behaviours.

The architectural history of Iran began in the early 1900s with the orientalist approaches prevalent at that time and continued for a long time, with minor changes, under the influence of these approaches. From the mid-1990s, the situation changed slowly, and between 1995 and 2005, also known as the “reform era,” a profound transformation took place in this field. The holding of the first Congress on the History of Architecture and Urban Planning of Iran (1995) was the starting point of this transformation. Then, a series of events, including changes in existing institutions, the establishment of new institutions, the establishment of specialized journals, the holding of related conferences and scientific events, and finally the establishment of the field of Iranian architectural studies, were the milestones that led to the transformation of this field. The article examines the general aspects of this development.

While prior research has focused on the role of cause lawyers in legal and social reforms within authoritarian regimes, the everyday practices of non-cause lawyers handling controversial cases remain unexplored. Drawing on 60 interviews with family lawyers and divorced women in Iran, this study directs attention to the everyday practices of ordinary lawyers, with a focus on divorce cases initiated by women, which are among the most challenging cases in Iran’s family courts. The study introduces a typology to distinguish between lawyers who are outcome-oriented and those who are transformative-oriented. I argue that lawyers’ perceptions of professional responsibility and their understandings of what counts as “meaningful reform” in a judiciary that is unreceptive to women’s rights influence how they pursue legal mobilization against codified gender inequality within an authoritarian system. This study concludes by suggesting that future research should examine how lawyers’ interpersonal interactions, as well as their educational and professional training, shape their approaches to challenging inequality and discrimination.

Over the past two decades, architectural historiography in Iran has undergone a significant disciplinary transformation. This article examines the effect of the Iranian architectural studies (IAS) MA program establishment at Shahid Beheshti University (est. 2005) in this process. It reconstructs the historical context of architectural education in Iran since the mid-twentieth century, when architectural history occupied a marginal position, and then examines the establishment of the IAS program as a turning point in this trajectory through an analysis of its curriculum, pedagogical strategies, and scholarly output. The article argues that the program has institutionalized architectural historiography, cultivated new generations of scholars and educators, and encouraged greater attention within Iranian schools of architecture to the social, cultural, and contextual dimensions of architecture, bringing them closer to comprehensive schools of the built environment.

This study explores the intricate design of title pages in nineteenth-century Persian lithographed books, comparing the Eastern-style title pages prevalent in Indian publications with the Western-influenced designs found in Iranian lithographed books. Rooted in Indian publishing traditions, the Eastern model emphasised structured bibliographic details, refined calligraphy, and floral ornamentation. In contrast, the Western-style Iranian model drew inspiration from Persian manuscript and bookbinding traditions, a broader ornamental vocabulary shared across media, particularly the lachak va turanj (medallion-and-corner) compositional scheme. While Iranian designers rarely adopted the Eastern model in books published in Iran, Indian publications occasionally incorporated Persian design elements, demonstrating selective cross-regional exchanges in Persianate book design. Rather than developing a standardised informational layout, Iranian title pages prioritised visual composition and ornamental hierarchy, often relegating bibliographic information to colophons or extended dedicatory texts. Accordingly, the Western style is defined less by informational structure than by visual organisation, which distinguishes it fundamentally from the Eastern model. This study focuses on Iranian and Indian examples, drawing on rare Persian lithographed books to examine how differing conceptions of the book shaped title page design in the nineteenth century.

Malaria transmission is associated with climatic variability and vector control interventions, and understanding their long-term and lagged associations is critical in regions approaching elimination. This 23-year retrospective study (2001–2023) examined associations between climatic factors and malaria incidence in eight base counties of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast Iran. Negative binomial and zero-inflated Poisson regression models were applied to account for overdispersion and excess zeros, incorporating 1–3 month lagged exposures. Seasonal patterns were assessed using linear mixed-effects models, and the impact of indoor residual spraying (IRS) population coverage (2013–2023) was evaluated using a negative binomial generalized linear model. Malaria incidence declined during the elimination phase but resurged in 2022–2023. Across counties analysed with negative binomial models, a 1 °C increase in mean temperature (1–3 month lag) was associated with a ∼ 16% increase in incidence (IRR = 1.16), highlighting a consistent positive effect. Relative humidity showed heterogeneous but generally positive associations, whereas precipitation effects were weak and inconsistent. Incidence was higher in spring (4.6-fold), summer (7.9-fold) and autumn (6.8-fold) compared with winter. Increased IRS population coverage was positively associated with malaria incidence (IRR = 4.15 per 10% increase; 95% CI: 2.06–8.34), likely reflecting reactive spraying in response to higher transmission. Malaria transmission in southeast Iran is shaped by temperature-driven climatic variability and seasonal dynamics. Programmatic vector control responds to changes in transmission, emphasizing the need for integrated, climate-informed planning. Further research incorporating lagged predictive modelling and human mobility data is warranted to enhance elimination strategies.

This study investigated factors influencing insect phobia among older adults in Iran and Malaysia using a quasi-experimental design with individual and group-based teaching models. The study included 151 older adults (82 Iranians, 69 Malaysians). Baseline and post-intervention scores were analyzed using paired t-tests, MANOVA, regression analysis, path analysis and a neural network model. Malaysians scored higher on EVI: Disgusting Pre (mean = 8.03 vs. Iranian mean = 7.46, p < 0.05) but showed greater reductions post-intervention (mean difference = 1.03 vs. Iranian mean difference = 0.63, p < 0.01). OAEAS scores decreased more among Malaysians (mean difference = 14.45 vs. Iranian mean difference = 15.08, p < 0.05). Males reported higher fear and disgust levels than females (p < 0.05). Pet ownership reduced phobic responses (p < 0.05), while chronic conditions heightened baseline scores but limited reductions over time. Group-based interventions were more effective for Malaysians, while individual-based approaches worked better for Iranians. The neural network model explained 82% of EVI variance and 79% of OAEAS variance. Culturally tailored interventions effectively reduce insect phobia among older adults. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and broader cultural contexts.