I concur with my former teacher, Dr. Zosimo Lee of the Department of Philosophy at the University of the Philippines Diliman when he lucidly said that: Iran has a long intellectual and cultural tradition that goes back centuries and is not limited to regimes and republics. It has survived repression and oppression and has been transformed into viable collective life regardless of the ineptitude of its rulers. Its proud history has drawn from the cultural genius of its people and will definitely prevail. That indomitable spirit is going to survive.[1]

Indeed, the same straightforward observation was also echoed and in conformity with the statement of the Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani when she said that: Iran’s enemies fail to grasp the country’s 6,000-year-old strength and deep heritage.[2]

Retired Coronel and former Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Douglas MacGregor Based on his public commentary, retired U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor views Iran not merely as a modern geopolitical entity, but as a long-standing, resilient civilization that will not submit to foreign pressure.[3] They will never surrender to anyone.

MacGregor’s perspectives and key points

His perspective on Iran’s civilization includes the following key points:

Iran is an Ancient Civilization: He described Iran as “the heir of an ancient civilization” and a “great power” with thousands of years of history.

Resistance to Submission: He argues that Iran will not simply kneel or submit to outside pressure, particularly from the U.S. or Israel.

Distinct from Arab States: Macgregor has noted that Iranians are not Arabs per se, but he emphasized their historical and cultural distinctiveness in the region.

Rational Power: He views the Iranian leadership as choosing to avoid war, despite having an “enormous” missile arsenal capable of significant destruction.

Regional Actor: He maintains that Iran views itself as a regional power with its own strategic interests and responsibilities, which it will pursue regardless of Western demands.

Misconception with the Iranian people and its culture

The West, specifically the US always bastardized and depicts the Iranians as backward, desert people, lunatics, fanatical and low in culture. Nothing could be farther from the truth. However, these lies and slanders are systematically peddled and almost became a state policy of America in besmirching the reputation of the Iranian people since 1979.

Comparative cases in point

Let us consider the cases in point. Let us quote the post of Khalid Latif Khan:

We all agree this war is asymmetrical. How could it not be? On one side you have people like:

Dr. Ali Larijani (Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran) author of three essays on Immanuel Kant, his writings are studied in Western universities:

• The Mathematical Method in Kant’s Philosophy

• Metaphysics and the Exact Sciences in Kant’s Philosophy

• Intuition and the Synthetic A Priori Judgments in Kant’s Philosophy

And:

Dr. Abbas Araghchi (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran) PhD from the University of Kent. (David McLellan the Marxist scholar is his Dissertation Supervisor) His doctoral thesis:

“The Evolution of the Concept of Political Participation in Twentieth-Century Islamic Political Thought.”

And on the other side? Donald Trump. A man whose vocabulary barely exceeds 200 words. Most famous quote: “Grab ’em by the pussy.”[4]

The unfairness of the war

This war is utterly unfair and no match whatsoever. The US side are proponent of idiotic brute force and barbaric symmetrical mass mayhem while on the other side, the brave and courageous people of Iran are led by leaders that are not only intellectuals and thinkers, but undeniably warriors and fighters whose primary concern is to defend their people, their land, their honor and their sovereignty. Though it is not true that this is a religious war, nonetheless I will firmly argue that this is indubitably a war between good and evil, between reason and civilization as against the misplaced pride of a decadent dying empire and their nefarious global barbarism that is about to end.

Long Live the brave, courageous and beautiful Iranian people. We are with you! #ForHumanity!

Jose Mario D. De Vega

PhD Candidate

Philippine Studies (Major in Philosophy)

Asian Center

University of the Philippines Diliman

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[1] See his personal Facebook post, March 7, 2026

[2] See, Al Mayadeen English, March 10, 2026

[3] See, “Douglas Macgregor: A New World Emerges: Iran Will Win & Israel May Not Survive”, Interview of Professor Glenn Diesen, March 3, 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd_uJiRcl0Q

[4] See his Facebook post, March 7, 2026