The problem is we want the Iranian people to stand up to the Mullahs, but if we press too much, they are a very, very nationalist people and will side with the Mulahs when push comes to shove for them.
It's a balancing act on a razor's edge.
> we want the Iranian people to stand up to the Mullahs
How are you defining "we" here?
the US government, the people who are nervous about Iran obtaining nuclear arms capability, the people who think Iran purposefully destabilizes the whole region, the people who don't like the fact Iran supports Russian proxy wars and finance more terrorism in the region and abroad then an other Middle Eastern country??
Are other nations any different? If you had a dictatorship in your country, would a foreign attack win your "hearts and minds"?
That's way too much nuance and understanding of the local setiment for Tom Clancy Strategists (or real generals, judging from the WaPo article today) to grasp.