But then again the IR is harming Iran more than any foreign power could, and without foreign interference I don't see them losing power any time soon.
I disagree because it is my personal belief that, based on history, that IR can fade away but that any foreign invasion will revive support of it. Life is much worse when the person in the house next door to you would be ready and willing to participate in your lynching than when the laws are against you but you enjoy solidarity in protest with your neighbors. I believe this regime would disappear rapidly if there was zero threat posed by the United States, all that keeps it alive is the idea that subversive action would open the doors to foreign sphere of influence.
Thus, I believe that even not considering the fact that war would cost tens of thousands of lives and infrastructure, and that any foriegnly originating establishment would fail to make provisions for Iran once it's oil runs out, military action against Iran by powerful countries in Europe and North America would be a national disaster for Iran.
Alot of people contend that quality of life was better in the Pahlavi era, but I would contend that history shows that the Islamic Revolution was a consequence of the Pahlavi Era, so the two are inseperable. You can't wish that the Pahlavi era never ended because it was always going to produce what we have now- it would be like wishing that a child would stay a child forever.
I actually don't believe quality of life was better because the general populace was a lot more messed up. My father once loaned his car to a guy whose wife was in labour so that he could take her to the hospital. He found the car later (I won't go into what the guy had against my father but it was due to radical Islamic bias) in front of his house, set ablaze. Regardless of what the government officials wear around their heads and say and do, at least that probably wouldn't happen in Iran today. Because the population is more intellectual, it will gradually dissolve this regime. History shows that the intellect of a population can outgrow its rulers and chase them away. A good example is that of the French Revolution, when commoners who had attained Bourgeoisie status were able to intellectually challenge the aristocracy.
Reform is important. It started under Khatami. Maybe Khatami was as terrible as any of them or maybe he wasn't (akhe mardoom as ye taraf migan gholasho anjam nadad az ye tarafe dige migan rais jomhoore Iran hich ghodrate khasi nadare!), but the progress was occurring (for whatever reason).
It is also important to consider that the population of Iran, the general population, is against IR, but not willing to endure war for IR to be gotten rid of. If the general population of Iran doesn't want war to get rid of IR, wouldn't it be selfish of somebody to choose for it to happen, ESPECIALLY when they are living outside of Iran and don't personally have to endure Mullah's rule (or any war to get rid of it)? Unless their consideration is for US national security or anything of the like.
