I hope you have the update? The update has many changes in it (the version on the disk is over a month old).
As for Iron, even with the new map it can still be a pain in the butt to get. I suggest you find other civs that have iron, there are lots on the map, some places like Russia will have many. Trade with them, if this is not your style then conquer near by lands that have the resource. There is iron in eastern Anatolia go for it! I trade for what I need, if they don't trade with me then I take it from them! IF I were you, I would launch an attack against the Greeks, secure that iron resource, this way you force them to trade to get it or fight you, but by that time you would have built your immortals
As for the tech, I agree, the old version the techs moved too fast, so I slowed it down now, giving Civs an opportunity to build roads and trade etc... now the opposite is true, techs move way too slow!!! But its getting better, I hope to have some new BIX files with the edited tech rates up by tomorrow (these would be used with the new updated version)...
Just so you know when placing resources I made sure there was enough for everyone minus a few... on this map there are 24 Iron deposites, meaning if you play with 31 civs 7 of them will be screwed... not fair but this game isn't about being fair, I want some Civs to die (Muhahahah)

It really adds to the strategy when some resources are lacking, to have a better understanding of the map (I dont recommend it but...) check out the excel sheet that is in the TETurkhan scenario folder. There you can see a complete break down of all resources and their locations, this might help you to better plan your strategy...
once again my suggestions:
1- download the latest version
2- look at the excel sheet to get an understand of where resources are located...
3- don't automate your workers, only after you have done the most important jobs should you automate them - cause if you wait for them to connect a road to a vital resource it could take more time, and in some cases that extra time makes all the difference.
happy gaming and I hope this was helpful!