Some history below of U.S. involvement with Iran. As you will read, the United States continually causes all of their own issues.
Early U.S. Involvement: The 1953 Coup and the Shah
U.S. involvement in Iran began in earnest during the Cold War. In 1953, the CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, after he nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. The coup restored the pro-Western Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to power, who ruled with significant U.S. support for the next 25 years[1][2]. The U.S. provided military and economic aid, helping the Shah modernize Iran’s military and infrastructure, but his regime became increasingly autocratic and unpopular among Iranians[3][2:1].
Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi shaking hands with a US Air Force general before departing the United States.
1960s–1970s: Strategic Partnership and Nuclear Cooperation
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Iran was considered a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. The Shah supported U.S. policies in the region, including during the Vietnam War. The U.S. sold arms to Iran and collaborated on intelligence and military facilities[3:1]. In 1957, as part of President Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” initiative, the U.S. helped Iran launch its nuclear program, providing a reactor and enriched uranium for peaceful purposes[4][1:1].
Formal meeting between Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and a US delegation including President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution and Hostage Crisis
Mounting discontent with the Shah’s rule led to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. The revolution marked a turning point in U.S.-Iran relations. In November 1979, Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. This crisis led the U.S. to sever diplomatic ties and impose economic sanctions on Iran[5][2:2].
Former US hostages disembarking from an aircraft following the Iran hostage crisis.
1980s: Iran-Iraq War, Sanctions, and the Iran-Contra Affair
During the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, the U.S. provided intelligence and indirect support to Iraq, hoping to contain both sides and prevent Iranian dominance in the region. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on Iran and listed it as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984[4:1][6][2:3]. Despite the embargo, the Reagan administration secretly sold arms to Iran in what became known as the Iran-Contra affair, using the proceeds to fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua. This scandal was exposed in 1986[2:4].
In 1988, the U.S. Navy shot down Iran Air Flight 655, mistaking it for a hostile aircraft, killing all 290 civilians on board—an incident that further damaged relations[2:5].
1990s–2000s: Continued Tensions and Nuclear Standoff
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the U.S. maintained sanctions and accused Iran of supporting terrorism through groups like Hezbollah. Tensions escalated over Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. and its allies suspected of having military dimensions, despite Iran’s insistence on peaceful intent[4:2][6:1].
2010s: Nuclear Negotiations and the JCPOA
Diplomatic engagement resumed in the 2010s, leading to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. Under this agreement, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The deal was seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough but was controversial in both countries. In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA, reimposing sanctions and reigniting tensions[4:3][7].
Secretary Kerry and Minister Zarif shake hands in Vienna after the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) during the Obama administration.
Recent Developments
Since the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, relations have remained tense, with periodic escalations, including military confrontations and attacks on regional interests. The U.S. continues to accuse Iran of destabilizing activities and support for proxy groups, while Iran demands an end to sanctions and respect for its sovereignty[6:2][2:6].
Summary Table: Key Events in U.S.-Iran Relations
| Year | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | CIA-backed coup | Overthrow of Mossadegh, restoration of the Shah[1:2][2:7] |
| 1957–1979 | Strategic partnership, nuclear cooperation | U.S. arms sales, nuclear assistance, support for Shah[4:4][3:2] |
| 1979 | Islamic Revolution, Hostage Crisis | Overthrow of Shah, embassy seizure, severing of ties[5:1][2:8] |
| 1980–1988 | Iran-Iraq War, Iran-Contra Affair | U.S. supports Iraq, secret arms sales to Iran, downing of civilian airliner[4:5][2:9] |
| 1990s–2000s | Sanctions, terrorism accusations | Continued U.S. sanctions, allegations of Iranian support for proxies[4:6][6:3] |
| 2015 | JCPOA nuclear deal | Iran agrees to nuclear limits, sanctions relief[4:7][7:1] |
| 2018–present | U.S. withdrawal from JCPOA, renewed tension | Sanctions reimposed, periodic confrontations[4:8][6:4] |
This complex history continues to shape the geopolitics of the Middle East and the broader relationship between the United States and Iran.
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/us-and-iran-have-a-long-complicated-history-20382345.php ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Iran–United States relations - Wikipedia ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
US-Iran Relations: A Complex History of Conflict and Change | American Military University (AMU) ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Photos: The troubled history of Iran-US relations | In Pictures | Al Jazeera ↩︎ ↩︎
