There was a time, not that long ago, when the U.S. and Iran were friends.

Americans living in Iran made up the largest foreign community there, having their own radio station and schools, while Iranian students attending American universities were this country’s largest foreign student body.

In Tehran and other major cities, Iranians flocked to the theaters showing the latest Hollywood films, drove the latest model American cars and cherished their visits to the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets. Back then, Iran was the United States’ major ally in a region known for its shifting politics that matches its sand dunes.

Growing up in Iran, I saw boulevards and major avenues named “Kennedy,” “Roosevelt” and “Eisenhower” and became familiar with the English language at the local branches of the Iranian-American Association. I watched, with awe, when the younger Elizabeth Taylor, dating the handsome and wealthy Iranian ambassador to the U.S. back then, visited Iran: We took her in as the nation’s beloved daughter-in-law-to-be!

That all changed in 1979, when Iranians, fed up with the U.S.-backed corrupt and oppressive shah, sought change, had a revolution followed by series of unfortunate events that brought a sudden end to the years of friendly relations between the two countries.

Since then, the U.S. mainstream media has presented a singular picture of Iranians as bearded, foaming-at-the-mouth, flag-burning and shouting anti-American slogans, failing to show them as (with the exception of the hardliners) secular Muslims, fun-loving, sophisticated and infatuated by the West.

The process of dehumanization of the ordinary Iranians, reducing them all to barbarians, ignores their rich civilization dating to thousands of years ago, their well-educated society and their advancement on gender equality – Iranian women got the right to vote in 1963 and make up more than 50 percent of the university student body, and Iran has had a female vice president.

Unknown to most in the U.S., Iranian citizens gathered publicly to hold candlelight vigils to mourn the victims of the 9/11 tragedy.

The historic interaction between U.S. and Iran began centuries ago: Starting in the 1870s, Americans established schools in Iran. In 1909, Howard Baskerville, a graduate of Princeton University, teaching English and geometry to classes of mixed gender, died alongside Iranians fighting the monarchists supported by the neighboring Russians. To this day, there are schools and streets named after him.

Decades later, following painful years filled with mistrust, love-hate relationship, proxy wars and missed chances for friendship, the U.S. and Iran stand at a historic crossroad: diplomacy or use of military force; war or peace. The international community, foes and friends alike, is holding its breath.

As someone born in Iran and living in Maine, I share the same concerns over the unknown (can we trust the Iranian regime?); the hopes (would a friendly Iran contribute to region’s stability?); and the sense of euphoria (did we just avoid another war?) with others.

I might know nothing about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but because of my travels in Iran I can say this: With the exception of Israel, Iranian society is the most pro-America one in a region washed with anti-American sentiments.

What social scientist Medard Gabel said in describing wars as “a violent response to complexity by simple minds” seems to describe the inconsistent opposition to this agreement: The hardliners in both countries make up those opposing the internationally sanctioned agreement.

While many in this country demand a war with Iran, promising it’d be a short one, the debacle of Iraq, which was promoted by the same factions and individuals, should tell us otherwise.

Mainers need to feel proud of independent Sen. Angus King for making a courageous and wise case for his support of the agreement.

One would hope Republican Sen. Susan Collins – representing a state known for sending to Washington politically independent-minded giants such as the Republican Margaret Chase Smith, who courageously stood up to men in her own party who were powerful but misled; the internationally admired Democrat George J. Mitchell, and Republican William S. Cohen – would choose diplomacy over military action.

Should this agreement pass, I might live to see a boulevard in Tehran named after Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama and watch young Americans going to Iran to ski, work, study and to teach English, as opposed to being shipped there to be in harm’s way.