Don’t be so quick to criticize president

To the editor:

The analysis piece on April 4 'Iran, U.S. embark on unchartered territory” was excellent.

If those who are so quick to criticize our president for this historic agreement with Iran knew the previous history of U.S./Iran relations, they might be less likely to do so.

In the early 1950s Iran had a functioning democracy similar to ours. Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq was prime minister of Iran. He suggested to the Iranian legislature that Iran nationalize its oil industry. The U.S. and Britain ‘freaked out' on what they called a communist plot. They encouraged the Iranian military to overthrow the democratically elected government. This coup was successful and the young Shah (king) was installed. What a contradiction this is, when the U.S. fought the revolutionary war to form a democracy. Perhaps this is the reason why so many Iranians distrust the West.

Jim Slitor

Decorah