Actually, in terms of your average Persian Iranians tend to be quite bright. The article mentions Israeli opinion, with which I would tend to agree. If the government theocrats and their enforcers were somehow no longer able to cow and terrorize their own people they’d be good to have on our side once more. 1979 events are probably the worst example of incompetence in a completely incompetent four years of peanut farmer administration. And Obama in 2009, as usual, out performed him on the same stage.
I agree that the average Persian in America is very bright, but that would represent the upper echelon of their society. I'm not sure how the average, run of the mill, Iranian stuck in Iran would rate. But, I also agree with you, a lot of the apparent incompetence might be more of an outcome of chaffing while being under the boot of fanatic Islamic theocrats. I believe the educated Persians would not be great fans of Islam (having historically been Zoroastrians - prior to their conquest by the Islamics).
Well there is that little Panama Canal giveaway the ass form Plains accomplished.
And now the Chi-coms run it.