Very astute observation:
"...Despite the religious veil, Iranian security and economic organization is remarkably similar to that of imperial Iran."
No accident that. The Persian Imperial Tradition resonates far more strongly with most Iranians and virtually all ethnic Persians than does their religion. The nation has its share of fanatics but so do all nations. Darius and Cyrus are more important to most than is Mohamed.

Regaining their lost Empire and / or getting the respect due the empire is very important to them and always has been.

Keeping them from doing that has been an Arab goal for a thousand years...