So it is not possible to verify their identities - or whether the images had been taken from other sites
PUBLISHED: 16:03 GMT, 19 January 2015 | UPDATED: 20:58 GMT, 19 January 2015
Lazing by pools in blazing sunshine, sipping champagne, showing off their eye-wateringly expensive watches and posing by gold-plated supercars, these young people have no problem flaunting their wealth and lavish lifestyle.
But this is not life in the luxurious hills of Hollywood – this is what claims to be a rare glimpse into life for the extremely rich young people of Iran.
The Instagram account the Rich Kids Of Tehran has gained worldwide attention by revealing what life is really like for some inside the notoriously strict Islamic Republic of Iran.
However, doubts have surfaced over whether some - or possibly all - of the images posted on the account, which has more than 23,000 followers, have been lifted from other sources.
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Welcome to the good life: A woman in an orange bikini smokes a shisha pipe as she relaxes in a private pool. The owners of The Rich Kids Of Tehran say they share the images to show the world what life in Iran is really like for the privileged elite. But is it real or fake?
'Persian princess': The country's young people are keen to share the glamour of their lavish lifestyles on social media. But The Rich Kids Of Tehran account - refused to put MailOnline in contact with the people that it features to verify their identities
No expense spared: A young woman poses in shades inside a Chevrolet Corvette. The Rich Kids Of Tehran account wants to show the world the 'stuff they don't want you to see about Iran'
The account describes itself as 'Stuff they don't want you to see about Iran'. Pictures show beautiful young women in revealing bikinis smoking shisha pipes in pools, while others wear sweeping ball gowns as they pose in multi-million pound mansions.
Young men pose by private planes and helicopters, wear expensive Rolex watches, show off their gold-plated Blackberries and even watch private cinema screens in their home swimming pools.
The account was inspired by the hugely popular Rich Kids Of Instagram, which showcases the life enjoyed by extremely wealthy young people, largely from the United States and Europe.
When MailOnline contacted the email address that is linked to the Rich Kids Of Tehran account, detailed responses were sent back claiming to be about life inside Iran for the young and super-rich.
They said that they could not put MailOnline in contact with the young people featured on the page, saying they must remain anonymous out of 'respect for their personal identity' - so it isn't possible to verify who the people pictured really are - or whether the images have been taken from other websites.
They also insisted that any pictures showing the young people drinking or in bikinis were taken outside of the Islamic country.
The owners of the account told MailOnline that their pictures provoke a range of reactions and added: 'They all are different - some are positive, some say they are shocked as they knew Iran and heard of Iran from the "Homeland" series and the "Argo" movie! This really made us laugh!'.
Flying high: This young man apparently prefers to take the private plane when he travels. When asked where the people featured in the feed get their money from, the person running the account replied: 'That's the billion-dollar question'
Travelling in style: This young man poses in front of his helicopter, while a private jet can also be seen in the background. The Rich Kids Of Tehran account defended the spending and said: 'Wealth and the luxury always brings jealousy to some others so that is a normal thing no matter where you are in world!'
Golden age: This pimped up Mercedes has been decked out in gold plating by the wealthy owner. Imported supercars are claimed to be taxed by the government by up to 40 per cent, making their costs sky rocket to around £250,000, said the anonymous person running the account
Striking: The account regularly shares images of supercars - like these two Lamborghinis (and models) - that have been uploaded. Supercars that regularly feature include Ferraris, Maseratis, Aston Martins, Audis and Mercedes
Luxury: A high-heeled young woman climbs out of this supercar while the city lights glitter in the background. The site owners claim there are hundreds of Porsches and Maseratis on the roads of Tehran
Since the 1979 revolution, religious rules have required women to cover their hair and dress modestly while in public and also insist men must dress conservatively. Alcohol is also forbidden.
But in the pictures posted online, the glamorous young men and women are seen living the high life, partying in swimming pools as they enjoy foreign holidays and shopping in luxury stores.
Supercars that regularly feature include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Porsches, Aston Martins, Audis and Mercedes that are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The owner of the page, who wished to remain anonymous, said that interests in the country are varied and range from 'snowboarding, golfing, gym, horse riding to gatherings, luxury cars, fashion, luxury watches...and more fashion'.
Snowboard selfie: This group of colourful characters are pictured enjoying a snowboarding holiday. Other popular activities in the country for the super-wealthy young include golfing, going to the gym, horse riding and shopping
Making a splash: One young man is pictured enjoying a cartoon from his private pool. The account has defended the extravagant shows of wealth it features on the site and said: 'Some rich people in Iran come from wealthy families who have been rich for generations. Others simply made their wealth by working hard'
Only the best: The wealthy youth like to splash out on the finer things in life, including watches and gold-plated mobile devices which are estimated to cost tens of thousands of pounds, claimed the owner of the account
On the subject of supercars, the account's owner claimed that 'Porsche Panamera GTS costs anywhere from £200,000 to £250,000 in Iran and there over hundreds of them in just Tehran alone. Maseratis which are everywhere in Tehran cost just over £200,000.'
They also revealed that 'the cars all have been imported and there is 40 per cent import tax based on the actual price of the cars valued in Tehran. For example, if a car costs £200,000 you have to pay 40 per cent import tax before importing the car!'.
The account owners also regularly dismiss 'haters' who they say are just jealous of the lifestyle enjoyed by the country's privileged youth.
They insist they just want to help share a more positive image of Iran and added: 'Some Iranians and others do criticise us yes and we always welcome criticism and freedom of speech, but most criticism always come from hidden agendas!
'However, watch out for the joy-stealers: gossip, criticism, complaining, faultfinding, and a negative, judgmental attitude.'
They revealed their frustration that the world media views portrays them as 'terrorists' which they say is 'very offending and insulting'. They go on to insist that 'we love Jews, Christian and no matter what race'.
Home comforts: It looks like the Hollywood Hills, but this gated mansion supposedly shows a different side of life. However, the image above looks remarkably similar to the Wedding Cake House in New Orleans, Louisiana
Handstand: In a beautifully maintained garden, this athletic young man performs a handstand in front of the city
Haters: The account defends what it posts online, and insists it only wants to show the world what Iran is really like - hitting out at the view that 'many think we ride camels'
Iran's international reputation suffered under former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who led the country from 2005 to 2013. He caused controversy with several inflammatory statements during his years of rule, including when he threatened to 'wipe Israel off the map'.
The country's current President is Hassan Rouhani, who is seen as a more progressive figure. Last year, he met with British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the battle to defeat ISIS militants.
It marked the first face-to-face talks for 35 years between the leaders of the two countries which have been at loggerheads over Tehran's nuclear policy.
When asked why they wanted to share the alternative view of Iranian society with the world, they replied: 'We are a friendly nation despite what the western medias are trying to label us as "axis of evil" in order to enforce their political agendas!
'People see and stereotype nations and its people based on what they hear and see on the media and it's shocking how many small-minded people exist in today's world.
'We barely hate anyone though wealth and the luxury always brings jealousy to some others so that is a normal thing no matter where you are in world!'.
In one post, whoever is running the page hit out at a view that 'many think we ride camels', adding: 'We ride German and Italian wheels and we dress Chanel, Gucci, Louboutin and Tom Ford!'
The account caused controversy in October last year when it suddenly stopped posting when it went viral, amid rumours that the government had shut them down.
Mansions: According to the site, the city's privileged young people enjoy a packed social life with parties and balls taking place weekly
Striking: Women are required by law to keep their head covered in the deeply religious country that was transformed by the Iranian Revolution of 1979.The account claims that the people featured are mostly in their teens and early 20s are children of Iran's upper classes
That was denied by the owners and when the account reopened, a post stated: 'We did not have any bad intentions and we are not against anyone. We wanted to show the luxurious side of Tehran to the world. Only thing we did was to post some pictures on Instagram.
'We love our country and like any other country we have rich and we have less fortunate people. Some rich people in Iran come from wealthy families who have been rich for generations. Others simply made their wealth by working hard.'
At the time it received widespread media coverage across the world. But there was an angry backlash, and a rival account called Poor Kids Of Tehran was also set up to reveal what life is like for the people living in poverty in the city.
A report issued last year by the International Federation of Human Rights estimated that between 45 and 55 per cent of the Iranian population lived below the poverty line in the country.
The people featured are mostly in their teens and early 20s are children of Iran's upper classes, which has grown massively in recent years as the country develops.
The country - that has a population of approximately 78million - has faced strict sanctions since its pursuit of a nuclear programme was revealed in 2002, despite the country's leaders insisting it is solely for peaceful purposes and that they are not developing nuclear weapons.
The United States and European Union have also imposed further sanctions on the country's oil exports and banks since 2012 which have harmed the economy.
And when asked where they thought the money that funded the fantastic lifestyles was coming from despite the sanctions, they replied: 'That's the billion dollar question!'
Opulent: The social media account also reveals the lavish parties in grand buildings that are popular with young people as they spend time with friends and family
But they defended the young people's choice of lifestyle and said: 'Freedom and democracy is limited in Iran we sure don't wanna sound like a hypocrite but Iran has a Islamic government and there are laws in which we have to follow and respect.
'For sure Iran has poor people like every else that has the less unfortunate people, the sanctions has caused many of these problems for some people, but which is more shocking?
'Having poor people in a country that has every sanctions you could possibly think of imposed by the west in order to cripple Iran's economic or having poor and poverty in western countries when they are a leaders in economical currency and have zero sanctions on them!
'The government have become more friendly to the young youth, however there are sanctions which affected the life of others for sure so there are less unfortunate people in Iran too.'
Champagne lifestyle: Passengers enjoy sipping Dom Perignon as they fly first class on their holidays to destinations including Paris and Dubai, according to the account. Although alcohol is banned in Iran, many locals are believed to enjoy a drink when they are abroad
Lavish: Users apparently share pictures of every aspect of their daily lives, with snaps showcasing what they are eating and driving. The owners of the account say that any negative comments they receive are mainly because of jealousy
One of the most developed countries in the Middle East, Iran has a long and proud history of cultural achievement and open society.
Iran's main export is oil and the country's gross domestic product in 2013 was $368.90 billion. It is ranked as an upper-middle income economy by the World Bank
But the account owners defended the lavish lives that the young people lead and insisted that their parents are helping the country to develop.
They added: 'What you don't see or hear is the same parents of the same Rich Kids Of Tehran are helping and providing jobs for the people in Iran, as well as bringing revenue from import and export to the country. They are factory owners and business men who help the country.'
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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2916388/Our-lives-aren-t-like-Homeland-Argo-Instagram-s-Rich-Kids-Tehran-250-000-cars-10m-homes-opulent-lifestyles-attack-view-think-ride-camels.html#ixzz3PJDSJqq7
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