"Iran has found itself in a difficult situation for a long time and knows that there is no other way than to change." This is how Iran expert Arash Azizi sums up the Middle Eastern nation's current predicament.

The leadership of the Islamic Republic needs to change its policies and reach an agreement with Western nations in order to overcome international isolation and economic collapse, said Azizi, a historian and lecturer at the Clemson University in the US.

Iran's clerical theocratic regime is "concerned about the return of the policy of 'Maximum pressure' under the Trump administration," he told DW.

Donald Trump will return to the White House on January 20 and his Iran policy could further heighten the pressure on the rulers in Tehran. Tehran's rulers have had an eventful year so far, with still some months to go until they can mark the beginning of a fresh one: the New Year is at the start of the spring season in Iran which relies on the Solar Hijri calendar.

The political situation has prompted many Iranians to wonder if their leaders are going to face a particularly harsh winter this time around.

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The last nine months have been characterized by a series of dramatic events for Iran.

In spring, then-President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner and potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash.

His unexpected death triggered early presidential elections,........

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