I have no doubt of the physical beauty of the land.
The government has never been particularly western friendly, or at least US friendly. I've always viewed them as on of the more entrenched anti us, anti Israel countries. Yes the affluent there had a nice life. Admittedly that could be my bias based on their reaction to the 67 and 73 events as well as desert storm.
As for Iran they are more western than most countries in the region and the people highly educated. It's funny how we vilify them as someone we must always hate but in reality they were our friends and can be again.
I'm biased on Iran as well though. In college my goal keeper and right wing escaped Iran through turkey and then France following the revolution. I spent many drunkin nights asking them questions.
My team had guys from Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Vietnam, and china among others. For a guy who's graduating class in high school was roughly 400 and if those I can remember one black guy and maybe 4-5 brown ones it was fascinating.
My take on Syria may have been tainted by them too. The Jordanian seemed to like Syria though.
All that aside I know very little but don't think the Russians are doing anyone but themselves any favors. We likely are not either but as messed up as we are I trust our intentions over theirs.