"We did not treat the Americans badly. They left Iran in a relaxed mood. The embassy was active here after the revolution. We didn't have any problem with them. They started it"

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's quote reflects a point of view of the historical events surrounding the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent U.S.-Iran relations. Rafsanjani, a popular Iranian political figure, served in various prominent functions, including as President of Iran. His declaration seems to deal with the contentious narrative surrounding the treatment of Americans, particularly focusing on the occasions leading up to and following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, consisting of the infamous captive crisis where 52 American diplomats and residents were held for 444 days.

By saying "We did not treat the Americans badly", Rafsanjani appears to challenge the primary Western narrative that Iranians were unduly severe towards Americans throughout this period. This claim seems to recommend that the initial objectives or actions towards Americans in Iran were not hostile or aggressive up until prompted by external actions, showing a belief that the blame for the degeneration in relations lies not with Iran, but with actions taken by the Americans themselves.

"They left Iran in a relaxed mood" can be interpreted as an assertion that prior to the remarkable breakdown in relations, the environment was more pleasant or at least steady. This phrase suggests that the American presence in Iran after the transformation was not immediately under risk, and any subsequent tension was a departure from the preliminary state of interactions post-revolution.

Finally, "They began it" works as a direct attribution of obligation to the U.S. for the escalation of disputes. Here, Rafsanjani is likely describing numerous geopolitical relocations by the United States, such as supporting the Shah's program, the after-effects of which deeply affected Iranian belief towards America. This declaration is reflective of a broader Iranian narrative that looks for to position responsibility for the breakdown in relations at the feet of American foreign policy options, framing Iran's actions as reactive instead of proactive in hostility.

In summary, Rafsanjani's quote highlights an Iranian perspective that looks for to neutralize stories portraying Iran as the main assailant in the fraying of U.S.-Iranian diplomatic relations, rather positing that the reaction was conditional upon U.S. actions.