"I have no doubt at all that the Iranians' technical ability as a nation is every bit as good as the best we can field in the "West"."
Then you are strangely deluded.
Give me one example to defend your assertion.
Show me an aircraft to "every bit as good as" the F22 or Typhoon etc.
Show me a microchip production plant
Show me any indigenous industry that matches the best of the west.
Show me a university publishing cutting edge science.
Just one will do.
You are being silly.
I agree with the rest of your statement about them being a nice bunch though.