"talking about the middle east..."

Iran.

It bothers my friend and I, how a lot of people pronounce the name of the country of Iran as "i-ran" instead of "eeh-ran." 

NO. You're not running anywhere, and it sounds "stupid-american" to say it like that. Especially when it's a politician who is saying it. 

We're going to change the spelling or something, because it's irritating.

Although, spelling it like "Eran" would probably just make those people pronounce it similarly to "errand," which isn't better.

I don't think this bothers anyone else? We're sensitive.

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