The American President, who claimed to have stopped eight wars in his second term, was till recently a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize. But at present, America, along with Israel, under their leadership, is attacking Iran with full force. However, despite losing many military generals including its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran is gearing up for a counterattack. It has fired missiles at American military bases in eight countries. This conflict between America and Iran remains a cause of concern for other countries of the world.
Analysis is going on regarding its impact on various countries including oil prices. In fact, relations between these two countries have been complex and full of ups and downs since the middle of the twentieth century. These relations have played a major role in coups, revolutions, wars, sanctions, nuclear deals and direct military confrontation in Iran. A look at the deteriorating relations between the two countries amid the war.
Mosaddeq was overthrown with American help.
The foundation of anti-Americanism in Iran was laid with the overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq on August 19, 1953. Mohammad Mosaddeq had nationalized the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to protect the interests of Iran. America and Britain considered it against their strategic interests. Mosaddeq was overthrown under the joint operation Ajax of CIA and British MI6. After this the power of Emperor Mohammad Raza Pahlavi was restored.
Former Prime Minister of Iran Mohammad Mosaddeq.
In the sixties and seventies, America provided extensive military and economic assistance to Iran to strengthen Pahlavi. During the Pahlavi era, Iran remained pro-America and protected its interests in the region.
Then Pahlavi ran to save his life
The situation in Iran had changed in the span of two decades. Meanwhile, along with Pahlavi, anti-American sentiments were on the rise. Supporters of exiled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini were unhappy with Pahlavi’s rule as well as his pro-American policies. Amidst the excitement of the Islamic Revolution, on 1 February 1979, Pahlavi left the country to save his life. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned and on 1 April 1979, Iran was officially declared an Islamic Republic. But the events that followed not only badly spoiled Iran-America relations but also tarnished the image of the then US President Jimmy Carter.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Photo: Getty Images
During the riots between November 4, 1979 and January 20, 1981, Khomeini supporters captured the US Embassy in Tehran and took 52 American diplomats hostage. Carter could not free them. Their release became possible after 444 days on January 20, 1981, the day Ronald Reagan was sworn in.
Iran’s efforts to become nuclear amid tension with America
In the future, relations between America and Iran deteriorated further. America supported Iraq during the Iran-Iraq tension and war between 1980-88. America provided help to Iraq during Iraq’s attack on Iran on 22 September 1980. America’s bitterness towards Iran increased to such an extent that on July 3, 1988, the American warship USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 innocent passengers.
Meanwhile, Iran kept trying to expand its military capability as well as develop nuclear power to compete with the powerful America. On the other hand, America is gearing up to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear at any cost.
America-Israel attack on Iran.
America called Iran the axis of evil
In 2002, the then US President George W. Bush considered Iran to be among those countries that are a threat to global peace by supporting terrorism and possessing weapons of mass destruction. In a speech on January 29, 2002, Bush declared Iran an Axis of Evil along with Iraq and North Korea. Iran’s secret nuclear programs were exposed in 2003. Investigation started. Several economic sanctions were imposed on Iran between 2006-2010.
On 14 July 2015, a nuclear deal was signed in Vienna between P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China + Germany) and Iran. This was considered a diplomatic success for US President Barack Obama. It was expected that this would reduce bitterness and tension, especially between America and Iran, and improve relations.
Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is no more.
Relations worsened under Trump
But US President Donald Trump, in his first term, withdrew America from the Vienna Agreement of 2015 on May 8, 2018. With this, the American policy of putting Iran under maximum pressure began. Strict sanctions were once again imposed on Iran. Amidst the tension, use of weapons also started. The killing of top commander Qasim Sulemani in an American drone attack in Baghdad on January 3, 2020 infuriated Iran.
In response, Iran launched missile attacks on American bases in Iraq. During the tenure of President Joe Biden, a round of negotiations took place to re-activate the 2015 nuclear deal but no result could be achieved. Meanwhile, Iran is believed to have increased its uranium enrichment level to 60%. Regional tensions increased amid Gaza conflict. Indirect clashes continued between Iran-backed terrorist groups and US bases in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.
Tension between Israel, America and Iran.
America wants a puppet government in Iran
Meanwhile, Iran’s relations with Israel, which has the open support of America, also deteriorated. Regional tensions reached a peak after a major attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. In April 2024, Israel attacked the Iranian embassy compound in Syria. In response, Iran fired drones and missiles directly at Israel for the first time. Although most of the attacks were stopped by Israel and its allies, this was the first time that Iran directly attacked Israel from its territory.
At present, America and Israel are united in the ongoing war. America wants a government in Iran that is favorable to American interests. Recently, during the anti-Khamenei movement, Trump kept instigating the protesters that help to reach them was on the way. Even after Khamenei’s removal, he is inspiring Iranians to choose the government of their choice. In reality, more than the Iranians, they want a government of America’s choice in Tehran.
Also read: Who created the CENTCOM force to give a befitting reply to Iran?