I too know many Iranians in the United States. They are more pro-American than alot of Americans, especially those Americans of the liberal stripe. Most of these people are still upset with little jimma carter and the political pygmies of the carter administration that delivered Iran to the clutches of radical Shiism. The peaceniks (carter being their spiritual leader) among the carterites prohibited the Shah from cracking down on these fundamentalist nutbags. The 1979 so-called "revolution" turned the clock back for Iran to the 7th century; and the liberals hailed the deposing of the Shah as a progressive step forward for Iran. What idiots.
You are right, Mr. Smorch. I beleive the Carter policy was to "destabilize" this reliable, strategic and oil-rich Western ally, apparently because the Shah's method of keeping the mullahs in line was a bit much for the squeamish little Jimmuh.
As a result, the ayatolloh followed, and opened Pandora's Box.