Iran is a Persian country, not Arab. They will tell you there is a huge difference. This is a shaky regime. Iran has a whole bunch more in common with the West than many of the Arab countries. This is a country that could move away from a fanatical Islamic power base very quickly. Lots of the young intelligensia dont buy into many of the governments institutions. We would be stupid to try anything militarily with things so likely to swing on their own given the demographic dynamics of this country.

The dialogue with economic pressure is the best way. It is also in our interest to exchange students on a large scale like we used to with them. Especially those interested in politics. A lot of new ideas and ways of thinking used to be infused through student exchanges. This is part of the reason that they do have a significant portion of their population that has a pro-Western attitude... Democracy, rule of law, individual rights, etc...