The country is kidnapped by the Revolutionary Guards
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/08/iran-irgc-economy-footprint-khatam-olanbia.html
However, the government is trying to reduce its influence. https://www.ft.com/content/43de1388-9857-11e7-a652-cde3f882dd7b
If the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonyad would pay tax it would be a big step towards a normal country.
As long as Iran is under sanctions the guards will thrive as they are the working with smuggling etc. They know that if the sanctions would be lifted they would be out of business, that is why the are obstructing the opening up of Iran.
There is a saying that if it was a free election in Saudi they would vote for an Islamic regime, but in Iran they would vote for a secular government.
The problem with Iran is that most of them, even in the revolutionary guards, and especially their kids, want to open up the country, but they do not know how to do it.
You mean, "to open up while still keeping their privilege?"