The musky scent of rosewater is once more filling the air in Iran’s historic city of Kashan, which hosts the thousand-year-old annual rose harvest and rosewater festival.

Foreign companies sniffing business opportunities in Iran mostly have their nose on the ground for its oil and gas industry but French firms are also targeting fragrant notes: the $1.5 billion beauty and perfume market.

Ever since the 9/11 events, Iran has climbed into the top of the list of topics in Hollywood.

An Iranian official says the country is the biggest producer of rosewater in the world.