Good idea, bad phrase, we need to work on a better one.

We are talking about the emotional, evocative meaning of a term, not it's historical reference or logical associations.  

The force in Iran is good old fashioned Nationalism. They want to have a nuclear arsonal like Israel, Pakastan and others in their league. The leadership of Iran was democratically elected, sort of, so it lacks a main quality of totalitarian or fascist countries.

But this will work. To revise P.T.Barnum, No one ever lost an election underestimating the intelligence of the American Public.