Yes, that’s right, the U.S. has played a significant role in making the world the way it is, especially in the Middle East. That’s the world we have to deal with today, whether we like it or not. We can’t go back in time and undo the coup against Mossadegh, the Shah’s rule, the 1979–81 hostage crisis, the U.S. shooting down Iran Air 655, Iran aiding Iraqi insurgents’ attacks on the U.S. military, various sanctions, and all the rest. The U.S.-Iran relationship is shaped by past American and Iranian actions, and smart strategy takes that into account, rather than wishing it wasn’t the case.