Iran is a much more complex, important, and fascinating country than the mainstream US media and many American politicians suggest. Fox News and similarly slanted media outlets give an especially distorted, cartoonish portrayal of Iranians and their government.
With a population of some 90 million, Iranians are justifiably proud of their rich and impressive heritage, history, and culture. Iranians are Muslim, but their heritage, culture and ancestry are very different than that of the other Muslim countries of the region. Iranians are not Arabs.
Iranians are a proud people. They remember and deeply resent how foreign powers, especially Britain and the US, for many years humiliated, exploited, and oppressed them. Along with many millions around the world, Iranians are angered and perplexed by America’s record of one-sided support for Israel and its aggression and brutal treatment of non-Jews.
The large Iranian crowds that shout “Death to America,” are venting anger at the US government, not the American people. In fact, and as visitors to the country can readily learn for themselves, Iranians have a remarkably friendly attitude toward Americans.
