[AnotherUnixGeek]

ut basically, as a country, Iran is a natural ally of the United States. It’s the ideological, religious component that makes it an antagonist,” said Kissinger

Yup, aside from that "component" which makes Iran hate women, other religions, the 21st century and the US, it's our natural ally. Why, it could be right up there with Pakistan, another of our great natural allies. All we need to do is unplug that inconvenient "component" and Iran will love us back.

I'm not sure at what point in history the US State Deprtment and foreign policy establishment decided to turn their backs on reality, but it isn't working and it continues to get Americans killed.

[Cronos]

Iranis do not "hate other religions" --> Christians can live in peace there and worship freely. Ditto for Zoroastrians and Yazidis

That is not the case in SAudi Arabia (which has no non-Moslems, it is illegal), nor in Pakistan.