I pointed out your very poor use of “the Iranians” because for the other example, you chose “Russia”, which is the name of the country and - while not optimal - more easily associated with the government. Whereas “the Iranians” is much more easily associated with “the Iranian people”.
Please consider not using “the Russians” or “the Iranians” at all in such a context.
“the Iranians” in the sense of “the iranian government / regime” and not “the iranian people”. That also applies to “the russians”
I pointed out your very poor use of “the Iranians” because for the other example, you chose “Russia”, which is the name of the country and - while not optimal - more easily associated with the government. Whereas “the Iranians” is much more easily associated with “the Iranian people”.
Please consider not using “the Russians” or “the Iranians” at all in such a context.