[GordonS]

> The Islamic theocracy in charge of Iran is deeply unpopular due to its repression and severe mismanagement of the Iranian economy

Here's a way of saying that in a less propaganda'y way: "The Iranian government is unpopular because of the impact of US sanctions, which have made the lives of ordinary citizens mucher harder than they need to be."

> It has cut Iran off from the Internet

Because foreign-backed terrorists were using Starlink terminals to communicate, and the security services needed to find them, and stop them; at least, that's what Iran claims, and it at least makes sense.

[UltraSane]

Iran's economic problems include massive resource diversion to IRGC enterprises, funding for foreign militias (Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqi PMFs), and systemic corruption that predates the harshest sanctions. The Rial was already collapsing under Ahmadinejad's mismanagement. They have refused to invest in modern water distribution infrastructure. Attributing it all to sanctions is the regime's own preferred narrative.

Iran has cut internet access during every major protest 2017, 2019 (where they killed 1,500+ protesters in a week), 2022 after Mahsa Amini. The pattern correlates perfectly with domestic unrest, not with any "terrorist" incidents. The Starlink justification appeared after they'd already established the shutdown. You're taking their post hoc rationalization at face value.

You accused me of propaganda, then in the same breath presented the Iranian government's exact talking points as reasonable alternatives. That's the irony I was pointing out. You're not being skeptical you're being selectively skeptical, which is worse than being credulous because it masquerades as critical thinking. If you want to argue the US has done bad things in Iran (1953 coup, shooting down IR655, etc.), sure. But "the regime isn't that bad, actually" requires ignoring their own documented behavior.

[AnimalMuppet]

The Iranian government is unpopular because of the impact of US sanctions, true, but those sanctions did not come out of nowhere. They are largely caused by the actions of the Iranian government. So that government does not get a pass because the pain comes from sanctions. It's still the consequences of their own actions.