To keep some perspective (at least from the American point of view) let’s not forget that these same people (metaphorically speaking) who are protesting in the streets of Tehran are the same ones that celebrate "Death to America" day each year in November, which commemorates the taking of our embassy and the holding of 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.  This was no less than an act of war on t More..heir part. Since 1979 the US and Iran have had a very bitter relationship. Since the revolution Iran has certainly inflicted pain and caused the death of many. It has sponsored terrorist attacks against the US Marines in Lebanon, supported Hezbollah and Hamas, and worked feverishly to thwart any progress towards peace in Palestinian Territories. In Iraq and Afghanistan this Iranian regime has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of citizens and American troops. The crime Iranians like to accuse the US of is Operation Ajax when, in 1953, US and British agents worked together to unseat President Mosaddeq, the democratically elected leader of Iran. Mosaddeq had nationalized British oil companies and seized their assets. In the context of the Cold War and potential for Soviet expansion into the oil fields of Iran, and thus the Persian Gulf, the US's Eisenhower was finally convinced by the British to take action. With two or three agents and $50,000 cash the CIA and MI6 sprung into action. It didn't take much. A willing Iranian military and several high profile Islamic clerics joined forces to spread anti-Mosaddeq propaganda which resulted in a bloodless coup. It took very little effort on the CIA's part to accomplish what had been a very easy task. That's it in a nutshell! Of course today the CIA, and by extension the USA, is given 100% of the credit as usual.