Iran already had its Gorbachev.
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi , the Shah of Iran, and his repressive regime brutally ruled most aspects of life in Iran. Over time, disenchantment and anger over his 41-year long dictatorship spawned massive protests against his government inside Iran and out.
After the Shah was diagnosed with cancer, President Jimmy Carter allowed the stricken dictator into the U.S. for treatment in 1979. Iran erupted in rage and we all know what happened.
Iranians stormed the U.S. Embassy and a year long nightmare ensued.
Here’s the bottom line: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had spent the last 15 years in exile, returned to Iran. He became the Holy leader of the rebels and religious mullahs took over the country.
For all intents and purposes, he was Gorbachev to Iran’s rebels.
We just don’t view him that way because we are conditioned to judge regimes and nations by the number of shopping centers, automobiles, industries and banks. And numbers of folks showing up to vote in contrived election contests.