- 7 Jun 2008
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Like many Americans, I first became acutely aware of Iran in 1979, when that country breached a recognized embassy and held sixty diplomats and American citizens hostage for 444 days. During that period, most Americans wanted to attack Iran; and the only reason little was done to forcibly secure the hostages' release is that we had a very weak president (Carter) at the time. Hard feelings from that incident still linger in many Americans' minds, especially in those of us old enough to remember.
Now, I understand that Iran has its own grudge against the US for supporting the Shah; but I'll allow others more familiar with the Iranian perspective make that case. I'm only setting out the reasons America has hard feelings against Iran.
The other big reason of course is Israel, our oldest and staunchest ally in the region. Iran openly advocates the destruction of Israel. Personally, I don't agree with many things that Israel does; but I don't believe in abandoning friends. Israel has a right to exist. So does a Palestinian state (although I can't help but wonder why the Palestinians' fellow Arabs don't help them more).
Finally, when a story about Iran appears in our media, odds are good that it involves crowds chanting, "Death to America." Americans don't hold death-to-Iran rallies. But we do take such threats seriously when they're made against us.
All of which brings us to more current events involving the agreement between Iran and the US regarding nuclear weapons. I'm glad to see that Iran has agreed not to pursue them, and hope Iran keeps its word. Personally, I have no hard feelings against Iranians, whom I understand are some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. It's Iran's current theocracy that worries me.
Now, I understand that Iran has its own grudge against the US for supporting the Shah; but I'll allow others more familiar with the Iranian perspective make that case. I'm only setting out the reasons America has hard feelings against Iran.
The other big reason of course is Israel, our oldest and staunchest ally in the region. Iran openly advocates the destruction of Israel. Personally, I don't agree with many things that Israel does; but I don't believe in abandoning friends. Israel has a right to exist. So does a Palestinian state (although I can't help but wonder why the Palestinians' fellow Arabs don't help them more).
Finally, when a story about Iran appears in our media, odds are good that it involves crowds chanting, "Death to America." Americans don't hold death-to-Iran rallies. But we do take such threats seriously when they're made against us.
All of which brings us to more current events involving the agreement between Iran and the US regarding nuclear weapons. I'm glad to see that Iran has agreed not to pursue them, and hope Iran keeps its word. Personally, I have no hard feelings against Iranians, whom I understand are some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. It's Iran's current theocracy that worries me.