[_DeadFred_]

Iran doesn’t have bases or any presence near US borders but Iran does have proxies (with IRG advisors) surrounding Israel. Like the USA Iran is not above using proxies/strategically placing forces outside of Iran's borders or exerting violence outside of their borders to achieve political ends. Iran's proxies bombed multiple American bases and killed many American troops greatly changing American perception of Iran from when Khomeini stepped off the plane and he was flanked by a US ambassador and a rabbi. It doesn't matter that the clash was not near US borders, Iran and US forces have physically clashed, with some of the attacks started by Iran.

The mullahs call for 'death to Israel' because they want Israel destroyed. They are public about it. When the chant is 'death to America, death to Israel' it would be weird to say 'the first part is just rhetoric' especially considering Iran calls the USA the big satan and Israel the little satan. Why would the same words mean 'just rhetoric' when applied to the big satan? That you think 'death to America' is justified again doesn't change that people here are wrong when the try to deflect that 'death to America' doesn't mean death... to America. That you just waive away the call for death to my country with 'but it's justified' doesn't change what Iran wants and has called for for 40+ years.

And Iran's calling for that has shaped US policy. You might not care, I don't care if you do, but Iran has shaped US policy towards it. Like you said, when Khomeini stepped off the plane he was flanked by a US ambassador and a rabbi, US policy was once different. Iran's actions may not be as evil as what the US has done to Iran, but in a discussion on a topic (especially geopolitical) it's worth understanding motivations of people on both sides. The US will always see Iran as an enemy as long as Iran calls for the death of America and Americans and wages a proxy war against American interests. Just like Iran have included protecting their interests in Lebanon and their proxy Hizballah into the current peace negotiations, because extra border interests are often of national interest. Iran included.

A random X post not related to Iran or our current discussion is weird as hell to add at the end.

[pazimzadeh]

> it's worth understanding motivations of people on both sides.

100% agree.

> Iran doesn’t have bases or any presence near US borders but Iran does have proxies (with IRG advisors) surrounding Israel

That's the way you see it but the way Iran sees it is that Israel is a proxy of the US. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2HZs-v0PR44

The US also chose to fight Taliban alone and lost, rather than continuing their post-9/11 collaboration with Iran - Iran being local to the region would have been a great asset, as they were right up until Bush's "axis of evil" doctrine.

> Like you said, when Khomeini stepped off the plane he was flanked by a US ambassador and a rabbi, US policy was once different.

You mean to say that the US read Khomeini's book which talks about implementing Sharia law, violence against "corrupt people", destruction of non-Islamic religious centers, the West wanting to steal Iran's resources, etc.. but were willing to take the risk because they were so afraid of the left taking power in Iran.

Then they tried to fix their mistake by having Saddam attack Iran, which backfired and created another 50 years worth of resentment towards the US. And they likely ensured another 20+ years of distrust with their recent actions.

> Iran's actions may not be as evil as what the US has done to Iran

Glad to hear you say this - wish you said this earlier as I would not have guessed it from your previous comments. If you truly think that then I'm not sure why you're surprised at the slogans and Iran's defensive measures.

> The US will always see Iran as an enemy as long as Iran calls for the death of America and Americans and wages a proxy war against American interests

And Iran will always be aggressive towards countries that commit unprovoked horrors against them while calling them evil and strangling them economically. And mullahs will always use these convenient facts to their advantage to rile up domestic support.

> Like the USA Iran is not above using proxies/strategically placing forces outside of Iran's borders or exerting violence outside of their borders to achieve political ends

Right, Iran learned from the US on how to use proxy forces, but it turns out being Muslim has certain advantages when you are supporting Muslim proxies.