re: “If” the Persians take over Iran, what should they do?

A regime has been taken out. A smooth transition is possible but not probable. The fly in the ointment was always going to be the size of the remnant of radicalism that remains, especially among the military, and then regime ‘loyalists’. That fact alone should give anyone pause about how ‘quickly’ this ends.

If the goal is to eradicate it all with air strikes then this will probably be very protracted. If a secular or even a devout leader rises to power it may be years before there is a semblance of stability. The rebuilding of government infrastructure (both systemic and physical) and establishment of a loyal military is not an overnight endeavor, not to mention any timeline on easing of sanctions. It would be idyllic if an armed populace rises up and stamps out the enemy. The absence of that however is historically called civil war.

The euphoria of the moment concerning freedom is going to meet the reality that this a ‘chance’, not a guarantee. The best hope is for enough normalcy in whatever system of government is installed as to restore diplomatic relations. Also, WHATEVER the ‘new’ government looks like, they are going to want to be armed. To what degree becomes the continuing question.