What does the toppling of the Iranian government under the Shah of Iran in 1979?

I didn't get your question exactly; but I have to say that Shah of Iran was nearly the same as dictators in the middle east nowadays. And Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979 was 100 percent a revolution related to religion (like the other revolutions happening in the middle east today). because people wanted an Islamic government....

The American people in general were unaware of the CIA's activities in Iran and other parts of the world. The reaction against the CIA when these things became public caused the CIA's charter to be changed and limited. That shows the American people did not intend those harms to the people of Iran. Also, I don't think the Iranian people were as united in opposition to the Shah as you portray. In many ways that was a golden age for Iran in education and economy. His measures were harsh but the behavior of the religious zealots in power now show he had a difficult opposition to control. My feeling is that activities by governments often have little to do with the people of that country. I don't think most Germans wanted to kill millions of people in WWII. I don't think the average Russian and American hated each other all during the cold war. Leaders misdirect and decieve their countrymen, just as is happening in Iran now. The religious militants who caused 9/11 are a different thing in my opinion. They are organized around their hatred of the West and Israel. Unlike governments they have no other purpose.

What they have in common is the West pulling the plug on secular Western allies, such as the Shah, Mubarak, and the guy in Tunisia (Ben Ali?).

What's different is that the Shah was good for Iran, whereas these other guys were only keeping their people down and making no progress for their countries.

Another difference is that we're also promoting rebellions in Libya and Syria, whose regimes are anti-US.

It seems that the West is extremely naive with regard to Islam, thinking that there can be "moderate Islamic democracy". Yeah, maybe for a little while, but for how long? It won't last, because Islam is inherently anti-democratic. Democracy is "rule by man's law" whereas Islam demands rule according to god's law.

But it's hard to say anything for sure, because so much information is being suppressed, and so much disinformation is being spread. Who can say what is really going on and why?

Endorsed answer by Tenth Amendment.

They both represent nieve American efforts to side with the 'freedom fighters' who are not fighting for freedom but rather for Sharia law.

Have we learned? No we have not.