In response to Donald Trump’s hastily slapped-together executive order last month that blocked entry for citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, the Iranian government barred visa entry for all U.S. citizens. The move had a direct effect on the wrestling World Cup, an international competition that was set to take place in the country, where wrestling is pretty much the national sport.

The United States, of course, has some of the world’s best wrestlers; a wrestling World Cup in Iran without the Americans would be kind of like an NBA finals in the '80s without the Celtics or Lakers. But after Iranian officials witnessed Americans protesting the president’s executive order, and after our judicial system struck the ban down, officials reconsidered and eventually granted visas to Team U.S.A. Maybe the clerics in Iran were inspired by what they saw, or maybe they just wanted to see the world’s best wrestler compete: New Jersey native Jordan Burroughs.

In Iran, Burroughs received a superstar's welcome, and the 28-year-old was swarmed by fans seeking selfies and autographs. GQ spoke with Burroughs this week about his experience there, what he hopes Americans can learn from his trip, and if he would ever go back to a country many Americans see as a sworn enemy of the state.

GQ: Congrats on a hell of a performance in this past World Cup. How long were you in Iran, and when did you get back?

Jordan Burroughs: Thank you, I appreciate it. We were in Iran for a total of eight days, and I got back home to Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday night.

Iran ended up winning this year’s wrestling World Cup. They consistently have some of the best wrestlers on the planet. What makes them so good?

It’s interesting, because on a personal level, after seven years on the international stage, I’ve never lost to an Iranian wrestler. But don’t get me wrong: As a team, they are always the best. This was my fifth World Cup, and in each of those competitions, we were beat by the Iranians. It just shows how high of a level those guys are consistently wrestling. Above all else, they are extremely athletic, disciplined, and know how to maintain great positioning throughout a match.

Do you think this type of dominance must have something to do with Iran’s cultural pride?

Absolutely, without a doubt. Other than the U.S., they’re the only other country that I’ve felt their love for sports is interwoven with their national identity. For Americans, of course, it’s football, basketball, and baseball. We live for it. In many ways, it sums up who we are. In Iran, it’s all about wrestling. The patriotism toward their country comes out in the way they wrestle, so it makes sense why they’re the best.

How difficult was it for you, as an American, to visit Iran after decades of hostile relations? And, most recently, President Trump's travel ban?

I don’t describe myself as a nationalist, but I do love my country. What I tried to focus on, and what I wanted the Iranian people to understand, is that, listen, America is a democracy. And what that means is we vote for our public officials, and sometimes they don’t win. That means I can still love my country, while wholeheartedly being against certain policies. Donald Trump and I have very different views on Iranians. I am confident that if he ever visited the country, he’d learn a lot about the people and come back to the States with a newfound appreciation for the Persians.