Why are the US and Iran enemies | FT #shorts

Key Concepts

• Nationalization: The transfer of a company or industry from private to state ownership.
• Coup d'état: A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
• Axis of Evil: A term used by President George W. Bush to describe countries he accused of sponsoring terrorism and seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction.
• Sanctions: Penalties applied by one country or group of countries against another, usually economic restrictions.
• Hezbollah: A Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group.

Historical Roots of US-Iran Antagonism (1953-1979)

The animosity between the US and Iran originates with the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, orchestrated jointly by the US and the UK. This intervention was a direct response to the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) by Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, Muhammad Mosaddegh. The US and Britain, fearing disruption to oil supplies and their economic interests, actively worked to remove Mosaddegh from power and reinstate Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. However, the Shah’s subsequent rule was characterized by corruption and repression, fostering resentment among the Iranian population. This laid the groundwork for future conflict.

The Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis (1979-1981)

By the late 1970s, widespread protests, heavily influenced by anti-American sentiment, erupted across Iran. The Shah, battling cancer, was ultimately forced into exile. Following the revolution, Iranian militants seized the US embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage. 52 of these hostages were held for 444 days, with the primary demand being the extradition of the Shah from the United States for trial. This hostage crisis represented a significant diplomatic humiliation for the US and is widely considered a contributing factor to Jimmy Carter’s defeat in the 1980 presidential election.

The Iran-Iraq War and US Involvement (1980-1988)

In 1980, Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran, initiating an eight-year war that resulted in approximately 500,000 casualties on each side. Crucially, the US provided economic aid to Iraq during this conflict. Later, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, Iran was officially designated a “state sponsor of terror” due to its support for groups like Hezbollah. A particularly contentious event during this period was the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 by a US Navy vessel in 1988, resulting in the deaths of 290 civilians. The US government later paid a settlement of $61.8 million to the victims’ families.

The "Axis of Evil" and the Nuclear Deal (2001-2015)

Following the September 11th attacks, President George W. Bush included Iran in his “axis of evil” alongside Iraq and North Korea, accusing the country of pursuing weapons of mass destruction and supporting terrorism. However, President Barack Obama pursued a different approach, joining international efforts to negotiate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. This agreement aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. International inspectors verified that Iran was complying with the terms of the deal.

Deal Abandonment, Escalation, and Internal Unrest (2015-Present)

In 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the JCPOA and reimposed stringent economic sanctions on Iran. This decision was followed by alleged strikes conducted by Israel and the US targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. In late 2019, widespread protests erupted in Iran, triggered by economic hardship and discontent with the regime. The Iranian government responded with a brutal crackdown, resulting in the deaths of thousands according to human rights groups and state TV. Trump publicly encouraged the protesters, stating, “Help is on its way.” Despite the crackdown, analysts suggest that the regime’s response may indicate underlying weakness stemming from years of corruption, mismanagement, and the impact of US sanctions.

In conclusion, the relationship between the US and Iran is deeply rooted in a history of intervention, mistrust, and conflicting interests. From the 1953 coup to the recent escalation of tensions, each event has contributed to a cycle of animosity that continues to shape the geopolitical landscape. The current situation suggests a fragile and volatile dynamic, with the potential for further conflict.