Disrespecting the Iranian people?

Iranian officials and regime pundits are increasingly using a tool discovered after the 2009 Green uprising in Iran: to call any criticism of the regime or its policies “disrespectful” to the Iranian people.

The Tehran University Professor Mohammad Marandi who is seen as  the regime’s unofficial mouth piece continuously referred to evidence that regime supporters in 2009 were receiving free food and orange juice to attend rallies as “disrespectful to the Iranian people”.

And now Iran’s Foreign Minister is using this tool. In one of his recent tweets he states:

Really Mr foreign minister? using statements from your own Boss Hassan Rouhani that sanctions are hurting the regime and its economy as evidence that Iran needs to negotiate is “disrespectful of a nation”?

In other words, any logic or argument that undermines the regime’s policies is “disrespectful to the Iranian people”?

This is a tool which will not work. Every nation deserves respect, including the people of Iran. However this is not a shield that the Iranian regime or government can use anytime their policies fall short.

And if the regime wants respect, how about ending the chant “Death to America”. Wishing someone death while you speak with them does not show much respect. Nor does it create the “mutual confidence” which you call for.