Since you didn't mention it, I might perhaps point out that that "government we didn't like" was and is no less undemocratic than the Shah's. That's
why we wouldn't like them. That and the way they behave with our diplomatic personnel. Most undiplomatic -- and has their behavior improved much since 1977? Nope.
I might also mention that Kissinger remarked of the Iraq-Iran War,
"It's a pity they both can't lose."