Which hostile forces? The US has attacked nuclear sites which they're using to build Nuclear bombs, not sent a warhead into Tehran. I think you're underestimating the dissatisfaction of the Iranian people people with the death cult in charge.
What would happen to American patriotism if China "pre-emptively" attacked its military research facilities? It would be the only thing on the news, and the only thing people would want would be revenge.
Yeah but the difference is that America isn't a fundamentalist theocratic death cult hell bent on eradicating an entire religion and anyone associated with it. There's a stark difference there isn't there? Or are you trying to put Iran and America on the same plane?
> Yeah but the difference is that America isn't a fundamentalist theocratic death cult hell bent on eradicating an entire religion and anyone associated with it.
Are you sure about that now? Did you miss the part where your president was openly discussing plans on annexing territories from it's allies?
How about you Google SAVAK and then get back to me on how receptive you think Iranian citizens are of American "guidance" under "democratic leadership" and all that jazz.
I think you're underestimating how many Iranians the CIA allowed to be tortured and raped in the Shahist regime. Agree to disagree?
Yes. Iran did have a democratically-elected Prime Minister before they were removed in a joint US-Israeli coup d'état. Iranians are perfectly justified in viewing America as the enemy of democratic reform. They are also justified in their worry over Israel installing a worse theocratic death cult, as I argued above.
Compared to khomeini, who started out by killing (mostly after torture) about 3800, mostly his own allies, some of which hadn't even finished primary school?
Can I ask you an honest question? Why would this be humiliating?
I get that the whole world likes to blame the CIA for Iran ... despite of course socialists (by which I mean the socialist international, as well as socialists in the sense of worldwide protests) of course having much more to do with the rise of the Iranian regime, and indeed supporting the Iranian regime even after it became clear that they like to attack, even kill, their own people just for propaganda. That does not make the Sha's actions ok ... I get that, but the point was that they do not compare. But more: even if I'm wrong, why would that be humiliating?
Also: I'm a geek. Perhaps a bit older but not (much) different. I do not really feel much if everyone disagrees with me. That happens regularly, and whilst I'm definitely wrong on occasion, I've done very well disagreeing with everyone too.
