The emerging consensus seems to warn that the Obama administration must not fuel the argument that the US is meddling, something the Ahmadinejad camp could use to great effect against reformers.

Indeed, Mr. Obama has skillfully avoided being seen as taking sides. This is wise.

Americans viewing the demonstrations in Iran should take a moment and reflect; rethink old assumptions, consider how not unlike Americans these citizens are behaving; and what this level of street-democracy says about the character of Iranians; after which, consider again, how the neoconservative movement in this country nearly succeeded in bringing war against these people.

When reform comes to Iran, it will come as a result of the democratic forces we have witnessed there this week, rather than by some hideous regime change battle plan cooked up by ideologues in a Washington think tank.