US - Iran: Actions and Reactions

People's reactions to the recent situation in Iran has me rather confused and slightly angry. People around me keep criticizing the United States for its handling of the situation. As far as I can see, we have done nothing yet that is "wrong" even in the most idealistic sense of the word. All we have done so far is gone to the United Nations to see if we can impose sanctions on Iran if they continue forward with their nuclear program without the oversight of international inspectors. We have also tried to downplay the importance of President Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush, but that is also not something immediately condemnable. What is it then that people find wrong?
Upon continued discussion, it seems that one point of contention is the sanctions America is trying to impose on the Iranian people. After all, what did the people of Iran do against the United States? But, let us consider what exactly economic sanctions are. Saying that the US will impose economic sanctions against Iran means that, in some form, the United States will reduce trade between companies established in the US and companies established in Iran. Some people say that is unfair. But how is it fair for the US government to stack up the interests of Iran against the interests of the United States and decide in favor of Iranian interests? As the economic sanctions seem to be a tactic to improve American security interests, then by all means, it seems perfectly fair to impose. Furthermore, by requesting the same sanctions at the United Nations, we are merely asking other nations to join us in reducing their trade with Iran. The other delegates should only do so if they also think that economic sanctions are in the interests of their respective nations. Moreover, they are absolutely free to not impose such sanctions - the United States is not strong-arming anyone to do anything by bringing the matter to the United Nations. This is one of the few times that the United States is doing something that comes close to resembling a sane plan of action and to see people deriding it makes no sense. We should applaud such actions by this administration and hope for more of the same rather than the cowboy-blundering we have seen in the past.
Also, some people claim that President Ahmadinejad's letter is not being received as the immense diplomatic gesture that it is. While I would agree that the administration does not seem to be reacting to it quite as I, a private individual, would, it seems almost needless to say that the letter is certainly getting far more attention than is being shown to the public. That is to say, the United States is certainly aware that this is the first, direct, written communication between Iran and the United States since 1979 and it is surely being given due attention. It does seem rather coincidental that the letter comes right at the eve of a decision within the United Nations regarding sanctions upon Iran. However, rather than speaking to the nuclear program for which the sanctions are being considered, the letter focuses on the blunders of George W. Bush as a leader. Ahmadinejad writes of the failure of western liberal democracy and invited the US to try fundamentalism as a form of government. While I am the first to admit that President Bush's actions in the past 6 years have been rather short of stellar, it is unclear to me that converting to a fundamentalist government will, in any way, resolve all the issues that have arisen during his presidency. If anything, moving away from religious fervor, to which President Bush is sadly inclined, might in fact be a better way to resolve some of the issues and prevent future ones. But, coming back to the timing of the letter, it is clear that it was written not to the president of the United States, but to the leaders, diplomats, and citizens of the nations considering the sanctions against Iran being suggested by the United States. Ahmadinejad's ploy seems rather obvious; by questioning the actions, motives, and general image of leader of the country leading the campaign to impose sanctions, he wishes to reduce the overall perceived need for the sanctions.
For the first time in six years, I don't feel absolutely ashamed by the actions taken by my country. To see people condemn them simply because they were taken by someone we do not necessarily like is wrong and, honestly, somewhat scary. We should analyze each situation on its own merits and decide what we think of it as individuals rather than merely toeing our respective party lines.