I am one of the expatriates who lived in Iran for 6 years before the embassy takeover. The Iranians are one of the nicest people in the world and I have lots of friends.
The demonstration against the Shah at that time was intigated by the mullahs who did not like him. From what I saw, his only fault was giving freedom to women by eliminating the use of the chador (head covering) and allowing girls to get educated.
Yet Carter let him down, which I believe, had caused all these terrorism today.
Good Luck to you in your quest for freedom for all Iran.
Libreoumort lived there about the same time as you!