It is in the Iranian nature to never kick a man when he is down , we are by nature a kind and caring nation , specially when we are standing and they are down . but we are like cats when we have our back to the wall , we can fight and we can fight well , not like cowards but like Lions .
With all due respect Oghab Aziz , I thiink the above is a Clitche that we Iranian like to belive and feel proud of. This is our way of compensating for our failures.
Lets forget about the crimes that happend in Iranian prisons in 60s, what we did to MKO, Chapi , Fadayee, Bahai , Kurd and Baluch Hamvatans and just look at the recent events of passed year or two.
It seems like a segment of our society not only kicks a man, woman and child when they are down, they stump on their head, torture them, rape them with and burn their corps and leave it out for wild animals to eat.
And that is what they did to their Hamvatans who just raised their voices about their votting rights and... So what this group is capable of doing to their enemies then only god knows.
Again, I am not saying all Basiji and Sepah and ... are dirty animals who are capable of these crimes. I know many of them were and are brave soulds who care deeply for Iran BUT we do have these sort of animals among us who are capable of these crimes as well.
As far the stories about the war goes and ... I fully agree with you and I do think ( or atleast like to think) we did follow the ruls more closely and fought more humainly. But I am not convinced that we were perfect angels and did not commit any similar crimes when I know rape and torture was common norm in Evin at the same time.