[metmom]

Boy the Persians really want to experience some Old Testament judgements on invading armies going into Israel. Bring it in moon god followers.

Not the Persians. The muslims.

I have met some people from Iran who HATE islam and called themselves Zoroastrians.

It's not the people (who hate the islamic regime) it's the islamic regime acting and speaking in the name of the Persians.

[HKMk23]

Your take is exactly right.

FAR AND AWAY MOST of the Iranian people identify as Persian and — privately — NOT Muslim.

They mostly pretend to Islam ONLY to the degree necessary to keep the mullahs off their backs.

The Reality: Persians know their history and DEEPLY DESPISE Islam.

[piytar]

I have met some people from Iran who HATE islam and called themselves Zoroastrians.

Me too. I have tried to explain to some people that "Persian" and "Iranian" no longer mean the same thing. Zoroastrians and Christian Persians HATE Islam, the ruling mullahs, etc. Call them an Iranian, they tend to get grumpy.