Iran have and had a interesting underworld. Thugs play a key role in both coup d’etat ( 1953 and 1978).
After the Islamic revolution some thugs go the LA. So maybe in the usa they were active too.

In germany (70/80) exist Iranian Groups with links to the Intelligence Agencys. They were famous gambler and pimps.

Today i think it most be something like a deep state exist. You get easily Drugs and alcohol in Iran. It is too much money for some street gangster.

Street level thugs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxjzSoOwv9w but i don't have any infos about such guys. Reminds me of russia's thief in law.