Originally Posted by persiandog
we have to face this threat to humanity . their entire cult is based on martyrdom.


That was created by America. They tried to take control of their own oil reserves and the CIA stepped in on behalf of the Western oil companies (Operation Ajax) to overthrow the prime minister, this normal-looking guy:

[Linked Image from upload.wikimedia.org]

As per usual things didn't go according to plan, turns out the Iranian people didn't like having an authoritarian puppet dictator installed by foreign nations, this brewed extremism, and now you have created a dangerous theocracy and instead of a prime minister you have a "Supreme Ayatollah":

Stupid games played, stupid prize won. Here's your prize:
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]