Given the chance, you would be a great leader for our country. For once, people should appreciate your efforts on their behalf and stop blaming your family. We all need to move forward and unite, not dig up the past.

Your eloquence and intelligence is also greatly appreciated.

Shah’s crimes against Iran are not merely based on how many people were killed during his reign. They were many, albeit not as many as the Mullahs’! His crimes included the destruction of Iranian economy, especially Iran's agriculture through enforcement of the destructive White Revolution, uncontested submission of Iran's oil industry to the West, high rate of illiteracy (78% during Shah's regime and one of the worst in Middle East), land corruption under his family's guidance (especially Ashraf ), extremely centralized power structure, etc. Also, the claims that things were so much better are very subjective, especially considering the state of Iran’s economy in the last decade of Shah’s regime. If we read Iran’s history, we’ll notice that due to extreme mismanagement of the economy, Iran was facing tremendous economical challenges. In 1977, inflation was at 40%. Due to incompetence and corruption, the regime was forced to dramatically increase tax revenues. Tax revenues grew from $2.2B in 1972, to $5.9B in 1977. In fact, in 1975, taxes were raised by 76%! In 1977, Shah’s government raised taxes on private companies by 85% over 1976 rates. In 1978, the government recalled 50% of the wage increases for government employees.

There are many more instances of Pahlavi’s incompetence and corruption. Islamic government is clearly worst, but that does not mean Iran has to reproduce another form of tyrannical and incompetent government. Today, Iran is full of intelligent, dedicated, and caring Iranians, who are more than able to govern Iran. It can be argued that what has happened in Iran in the past 70-years indicates progressive and positive events. Iranians were able to move past the ineffective and corruption-prone monarchies, and now are about to once and for all transition past backward religion and its army of fanatics. The future of Iran can only be attained through democratic republic. The days of kings, queens, and Supreme Leaders should be over.

During the Shah’s rule, the country’s oil wealth was limited to the elite (family, government contracts, bribes). The Shah sold cheap oil to the West in return for putting him in power, but the people of Iran were never the benefactors of their own country's natural resources. Khomenei used the anti-Shah/anti-US/UK involvement to gain political power. This fueled the Islamic revolution and left a regime that has plagued Iran for 30+ years.

Obama is in a difficult spot and has acted in perfect reason – condemning the brutal actions of the regime while trying not to 'meddle'. Iranians want what we as Americans have, freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I hope the international community will put pressure on the Iranian government by imposing tougher sanctions than they already have.

I am just an Iranian-American living very comfortable and watching the news in flat screen TVs, JUST CRITIZAZING and of course thinking how to get more money to impress my neighbors.

There are significant issues with the current government's legitimacy. Across the board, from secular to cleric, there are calls for major change. What the end result will be should reflect the will of the people. But what does the world need to do if the will of the people is supressed by superior firepower? Do you isolationists think we should just let it happen?

The fact that the country which overthrew Iran's democracy has given safe harbor for the past 30 years to the family of a tyrant, to whose throne his son aspires, could only inspire hope.

North Korea declaring act-of-war if anyone does anything in their waters to their ships. Ready or not, North Korea is ready to move.

Iran will declare a state emergency and clamp down hard and condemn anyone who disagrees, ESPECIALLY the United States.

Take note of what Russia and China are doing or better NOT doing.

Both Iran and North Korea are puppets of their larger masters Russia and China respectively.

The growing anti-american sentiment makes these situations much more dangerous than most americans are willing to admit.

We move against North Korea and China will back them. We move against Iran and Russia will be there to assist Iran.

Of the two, I believe Iran will be the starting point but North Korea won't be much later. China will let North Korea handle Japan and send their 200 million man army toward Tehran.

The United States is the most powerful military force on earth and can easily handle ALL aggressions from any and all aggressors (Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, etc.) BUT the question is, what in biblical terms would that make the United States out to be?

I would prefer there were no wars and death were only something we all naturally succumb to BUT to have peace you truly MUST prepare for war.

We're already at war it just hasn't spread – YET.

So the US should stay out of the world's affairs? This is what Sully said:

"Obama is doing exactly what should have been done a century ago STAY OUT OF OTHER COUNTRY BUSINESS"

I realize Sully does not have a strong grasp of the English language. Do you? Do you understand what the past 100 years has covered? Should we be speaking German? Should the Jews have been eradicated? Either you are a troll or you are an idiot. The same goes for Sully.

And if either of you are not American citizens, feel free to return to your homelands – if they will take you back.

The Iranians need to solve this issue themselves if possible. And like another poster said, freedom must be earned. But remember, the US would not have won against England without outside support. There may come a point when the US or other nations must help. Right now is not the time. But I am tired of people who have no concept of history demonizing the US for everything we have ever done.

Oh, and if either Henry or Sully are American citizens, feel free to leave. You won't be missed.