No, they could have been the future.  The pro western elements in the country were ready to rise against the Supreme leader and the Islamic regime back in 2009.   That was as a direct result of a fledgling democracy and the example of western freedoms in Iraq.  The bush doctrine got us to that point and your boy pissed it all away and backed the regime.  

 

Fast forward and now the regime has been emboldened to be more repressive of the pro western elements in the country and now that sanctions are going to be lifted they are going to be able to increase Iran's economic standing in spite of the actions of the supreme leader which will in turn make the masses a lot less likely to rise up against the regime.  

---