In March 2011, the U.S. State Department appointed a diplomat to engage directly with Iranians in their own language. Their designated âFarsi Spokesmanâ was Alan Eyre, whose Facebook page currently has over 84,000 followers. On March 5th, 2014—the 47th anniversary of the death of democratically elected Premier Mohammad Mossadegh—Eyre took to social media to pay homage to the deposed Persian leader.



While it may seem like a minor gesture, it demonstrates visible progress. In paying tribute to Dr. Mossadegh, the U.S. government is recognizing that he was an honorable figure with a dignified legacy, who remains very popular with many of his countrymen. In fact, Eyre caps his post with a fragment of a Persian poem by Saadi from the book of Golestan (The Rose Garden) having to do with the virtue of leaving a good name behind after one is gone. In short, the United States allowed a representative to go on the record on its behalf and state that Mossadegh was a good guy after all.



Obviously, this is significant because of the history. The 1953 coup is still a sore point in US-Iran relations, so Eyreâs recognition of the crime could have some healing value. Yet Eyre is, after all, in the realm of politics, so he tempers his goodwill gesture with a qualifier: Iranians, he suggests, should remember the past but not obsess over it.



Since advising aggrieved parties to âget over itâ is a favorite aphorism of the oppressor, this might signal a golden opportunity for America to teach by demonstration.





Alan Eyre — March 5, 2014





Ø§Ù Ø±ÙØ² Ø³Ø§ÙÚ¯Ø±Ø¯ Ø¯Ø±Ú¯Ø°Ø´Øª Ø§ÛÙ ÙØ·Ù Ù¾Ø±Ø³Øª Ù Ù Ø¨Ø§Ø±Ø² Ù ÙÛ Ø¨Ø²Ø±Ú¯ÙØ§Ø±Ø Ø¯Ú©ØªØ± Ù Ø­Ù Ø¯ Ù ØµØ¯ÙØ Ø§Ø³Øª - Ø±ÙØ§ÙØ´ Ø´Ø§Ø¯ Ø¨Ø§Ø´Ø¯.



Ù Ù Ø¨Ø§ ÙÙØ´ ØºØ±Ø¨ Ø¯Ø± Ø¹Ø²Ù Ø§ÛØ´Ø§Ù Ù Ø¢Ù ÙØµÙ Ø§Ø² ØªØ§Ø±ÛØ® Ù ÙØª Ø§ÛØ±Ø§Ù Ø¨Ù Ø®ÙØ¨Û Ø¢Ø´ÙØ§ ÙØ³ØªÙ . Ø¨Ù ÙÙÙ ØªØ§Ø±ÛØ®Ø¯Ø§ÙØ§ÙØ ÙÛÚ ÙÙØª ÙØ¨Ø§ÛØ¯ ØªØ§Ø±ÛØ® Ø±Ø§ ÙØ±Ø§Ù ÙØ´ Ú©Ø±Ø¯Ø Ø§Ù Ø§ Ø§Ø³ÛØ± Ø¢Ù ÙÛØ² ÙØ¨Ø§ÛØ¯ Ø´Ø¯.



"Ø²ÙØ¯Ù Ø§Ø³Øª ÙØ§Ù ÙØ±ÙØ® ÙÙØ´ÛÙ Ø±ÙØ§Ù Ø¨Ù Ø®ÛØ±/ Ú¯Ø± ÚÙ Ø¨Ø³Û Ú¯Ø°Ø´Øª Ú©Ù ÙÙØ´ÛÙ Ø±ÙØ§Ù ÙÙ Ø§ÙØ¯"

Today is the death anniversary of the patriot and great national hero,



I am well aware of the role the West played in his dismissal and that chapter of the Iranian nationâs history. As historians say, we must never forget the history, but should not become a prisoner to it.



âBlessed is the good name of that happy soul,

although long has passed since heâs gone.â



Translation by Ebrahim Norouzi, MD Â© 2014 The Mossadegh Project

Today is the death anniversary of the patriot and great national hero, Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh — peace be upon him.I am well aware of the role the West played in his dismissal and that chapter of the Iranian nationâs history. As historians say, we must never forget the history, but should not become a prisoner to it.

Alan Eyreâs Facebook post received 5,540 likes, 590 comments and 564 shares. The overwhelming majority of commenters were critical of the U.S.-sponsored coup. Here is a sampling of some of the top comments, as translated from Persian. Alan Eyreâs Facebook post received 5,540 likes, 590 comments and 564 shares. The overwhelming majority of commenters were critical of the U.S.-sponsored coup. Here is a sampling of some of the top comments, as translated from Persian.

Selected Comments (Translated) â¢ Well, interesting, you were the one who did the coup, now you are praising him!



â¢ Remember, the world is still in chaos and instability...from the 1953 coup and even thousands of apologies would not compensate for it.



â¢ Mr. Eyre, Mossadegh was not dismissed (legally), it was your government that removed him (illegally), there is a difference.



â¢ In the good old days you could do a coup with one million dollars...



â¢ You imposed 25 years of dictatorship in Iran and thousands of young Iranians lost their lives and you stole billions of dollars from the Iranian people, and imposed an eight year war on the Iranian people.



â¢ The crime of the U.S. against Iran is not forgivable...



â¢ With the overthrow of this great man, America destroyed the best chance Iran had for democracy.



â¢ Calling him a patriot and great?! I see crocodile tears...



â¢ If you mean it, establish a day to celebrate his birth...



â¢ Why then you are not apologizing for it?



Translation by Ebrahim Norouzi, MD Â© 2014 The Mossadegh Project

â¢ Well, interesting, you were the one who did the coup, now you are praising him!â¢ Remember, the world is still in chaos and instability...from the 1953 coup and even thousands of apologies would not compensate for it.â¢ Mr. Eyre, Mossadegh was not dismissed (legally), it was your government that removed him (illegally), there is a difference.â¢ In the good old days you could do a coup with one million dollars...â¢ You imposed 25 years of dictatorship in Iran and thousands of young Iranians lost their lives and you stole billions of dollars from the Iranian people, and imposed an eight year war on the Iranian people.â¢ The crime of the U.S. against Iran is not forgivable...â¢ With the overthrow of this great man, America destroyed the best chance Iran had for democracy.â¢ Calling him a patriot and great?! I see crocodile tears...â¢ If you mean it, establish a day to celebrate his birth...â¢ Why then you are not apologizing for it?