I don't think it will be like when Saddam was deposed by the US. I think they'll flee to other places that are willing to take them. They won't be safe anywhere ever again after what they've done to Israel, however.

The Iranian people were much better off under the Shah because they had freedom. A US puppet is better than an Islamic fundamentalist, but Iran is a divided country. There is a modern, educated population but also hard-line Islamics. I guess back in 1979, the hard-liners won out.

Life in Iran is probably horrible right now. If the clerics are eliminated there will be a huge power vacuum where anything can happen. The Iranian people could have freedom after years of oppression if they fight for it.