Quote Originally Posted by Stu-6
Finally even if the population was not supportive of the current government there is no reason to think they would be more supportive of one installed by a foreign power.
Spot on. The majority of the Iranian populace does not support their current regime. This opposition runs the gamut from vehement and strident, to indifference and just wanting to be left alone. However, a US intervention would be like a clumsy intervention in a domestic dispute - the hostility festering under one roof suddenly uniting in opposition to the stranger. And any US support to the opposition for which not enough care is taken to maintain its covert nature, will serve only to completely deligitimize that opposition.