Neither have been its main nemesis, the Saudis, Israelis and the U.S.
I find this kind of isolated statement doesn't help to explain anything, but paint the Iranians as irrational. I have 1000 problems with their form of government, but I don't think they are irrational.
One of these is not like the others:
Israel for all its warts has been quite consistent in leaving alone those who doesn't mess with them. Of course it makes competely sense given how they are consistently outnumbered in every way but quality, but still.
They also have a long history of peaceful sharing of civilian technology etc etc.
Technically that's true of the Iranians too. You can't credibly say that Israel or the U.S. hasn't been 'messing with them' for ages, can you?
Iran is suspected to fund and ship rockets that are used against Israel. I won't say it is confirmed but it will be no bif surprise if the rumors are confirmed.
Iran officials often speak about eradicating Israel. The opposite never happens.
Israel is not known to operate any milits in or around Iran, they are not suspected of shipping rockets to Irans neighbors and they are not known to talk enthusiastically about flattening Iran or killing its inhabitants.
I think we can agree that it is a poorly kept secret that they are probably behind a number of assassinations, industrial espionage and possibly sabotage but the difference is still enormous.
Both Israel and the United States extensively fund political parties around the world, some of which have military wings.
> Israel is not known to operate any milits in or around Iran,
There is a long history of Israeli-funded paramilitaries in the region, I know someone who worked in one. They also funded militias in Syria.
> they are not suspected of shipping rockets to Irans neighbors
The US does that for them.
> hey are not known to talk enthusiastically about flattening Iran or killing its inhabitants.
Hamas offered Israel a ceasefire and Netanyahu responded by going on camera and ripping up the offer.
Like armenians?
I agree. OP said the Iranians have been virtuous. My point is nobody is virtuous in these sorts of conflicts.
Washington has the original sin of supporting an authoritarian against the Iranian people. But we have supported bad leaders in lots of places, from Cuba and Korea to Vietnam, that didn’t start menacing their neighbours and sponsoring terrorists.
I'd argue Cuba suffered worse sanctions than Iran and yeah, their government is much more humane than Iran's.