https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locat...
The issue isn’t the amount of spending; they could spend nothing and would still get bombed because they are antagonistic to the US and its allies/vassals.
They are a theocratic regime which is not supported by 80% of its population. Being gay is punishable by death. They employ surveillance from China to ensure hijabs are worn by women at all times. They ban access to the internet. Chants of "Death to America" are their government's routine greeting for 50 years. They place military equipment in schools and hospitals deliberately, viewing US compassion as a weakness. They recruit child soldiers and have them publicly stationed at military targets.
There is definitely "antagonism," but to act as if the Iranian people would not bomb their own government if they could... it's a bit much.
Do you know anyone who lives in Iran?
Here’s what an upper class Tehran neighborhood looks like: https://youtu.be/G2pJwUkXhBM
A popular bazaar: https://youtu.be/ly54F22dqJc
The original person's implication that the "antagonism" towards the IRGC is novel to America is simply false.
> The original person's implication that the "antagonism" towards the IRGC is novel to America is simply false.
You seem to not have understood what my point. What is most determinative of a countries fate in the Middle East isn't domestic policy, but obedience to the United States. Iran's problems are due to the fact that it is an enemy of the United States and hence sanctioned heavily, leading to severe economic problems. There are many other nations headed by regimes that are some combination of socially regressive, highly unpopular, and politically repressive that are counted as US allies and don't face the same set of difficulties (e.g. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain).
And the people in power in Iran actively are not in favor of the good of their people, a large proportion of which want nothing to do with their religious fundamentalism.
How do you convince oppressive zealots to play nice for peace when their whole existence rests on having enemies? "death to America!" being the popular chant at political rallies.
Funny, I was just thinking that about the US.
I don't know how anyone in good faith can compare Iran's economy to the U.S.
Wait, isn't the US has literally the highest spending on education in the world? And it is precisely the highest spending in the world on missiles that make it possible. So less money on missiles would mean less money on education.
Iran has agreed to open them for inspection several times.
> into economic development, infrastructure, and education
They're embargoed to a point where they can't do this.
> Iran would be in a completely different place today.
Iran's currency is backed by the crown jewels the Shah left behind.