There’s a lot of talk in the news about the current tensions between Iran and the United States. But what’s not being talked about is the history of these two countries and how their relationship has led to the current situation.
If you want to understand what’s really going on, you need to know the whole story. Check out our blog post to learn more about the Iran-USA conflict and what the news isn’t telling you.
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The History
The countries of Iran and the United States have a long and complicated history. The United States has had a hand in regime changes, coups, and other military action in Iran dating back to the early 20th century. In 1953, the CIA orchestrated a coup to remove Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh from power after he nationalized Iran’s oil industry. The United States continued to support the Shah of Iran until the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
The 1953 Iranian coup d’état
The 1953 Iranian coup d’état, known in Iran as the 28 Mordad Coup, was the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh on 19 August 1953, orchestrated by the United Kingdom (under the name “Operation Ajax”) and the United States (under the name TPAJAXProject).[1][2]
Mossadegh had nationalized Iran’s oil reserves, which had previously been under British control. Prime Minister Winston Churchill authorised the overthrow after repeated requests from American President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who feared that Mossadegh’s policies would make Iran a communist state and thereby damage American interests in the Middle East,[3] as well as limit British access to Iranian oil.[4][5]
The 1953 Iranian coup d’état was preceded by a series of events, starting with Mossadegh’s election as prime minister in 1951. In April 1951, Mossadegh nationalized Iran’s oil reserves, which were largely under British control through the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC). In response, Britain boycotted Iranian oil and imposed an embargo on Iranian shipping. The United States supported Britain’s actions. On 1 May 1951, Mosaddegh announced that Iran would pay no compensation for the nationalization; this led to anger among international investors.[6]
In June 1952, mobs supported by Mosaddegh rioted and attacked British embassies and businesses in Iran. Meanwhile, Mosaddegh’s government became increasingly unpopular due to economic turmoil and autocratic rule. In August 1953, Mossadegh was ousted in a coup d’état backed by the UK and US.[7][8] He was arrested and tried for treason; he was sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to house arrest for life. The shah returned to power two weeks after the coup and remained in power until he was overthrown in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution.[9][10]
The Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the replacement of its government with an Islamic Republic under the Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a leader of one of the factions in the revolt. The revolution was in part a reaction to the regime’s strong Westernization and secularization policies during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was supported by Western governments. It also resulted from various socioeconomic factors and dissatisfaction with dictatorship, political corruption, autocracy, and lacking democracy at home as well as abroad.
The Shah’s regime responded to public dissatisfaction by increasing its repression of political dissidents and launching a secret police force, SAVAK, which tortured and killed many opponents. In October 1977, protests erupted in several cities following the publication of “White Revolution” policies which among other things granted women suffrage and expanded education and land reforms. Over time the revolution became more religious until on 11 February 1979 it ousted the Shah in favor of Ayatollah Khomeini.
The Iran-Iraq War
The Iran-Iraq War began on September 22, 1980, when Iraq invaded Iran, and ended on August 20, 1988. The war was fought between the forces of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s Iran.
The conflict began when Iraq invaded Iran without warning, in an attempt to take advantage of the Iranian Revolution. The Iranians were caught off guard and were unable to mount an effective defense. The Iraqis quickly took control of large swathes of Iranian territory, including the major cities of Tehran and Qom.
The Iranians mounted a counter-offensive in early 1981, which managed to push the Iraqis back. However, the Iranians were unable to make significant gains and the war bogged down into a bloody stalemate. Over the next few years, both sides launched a series of attacks and counter-attacks against each other, with neither side making significant progress.
By 1986, the Iranians had managed to turn the tide of the war and were slowly pushing the Iraqis back. In early 1988, they launched a major offensive which quickly routed the Iraqi army. Saddam Hussein accepted a cease-fire in July 1988, bringing an end to the war.
Although neither side won a clear victory, the war had a profound impact on both countries. Iraq’s economy was devastated by the conflict, while Iran’s young population was radicalized by the experience. The war also led to changes in regional alliances, with Syria and Saudi Arabia aligning themselves with Iraq against Iran.
The Current Situation
The U.S. media is not giving you the whole story when it comes to the current situation with Iran. Here’s what you need to know.
The Trump Administration’s policies
The Trump Administration’s policies towards Iran are often characterized as “maximum pressure.” The goal of this strategy is to force Iran to make changes to its foreign and domestic policy through the use of economic sanctions. This includes both primary sanctions, which target Iranian entities, and secondary sanctions, which target non-Iranian entities that do business with Iran.
The Trump Administration has also taken a number of steps that have increased tensions with Iran. These include withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, and imposing new sanctions on Iran. The Administration has also sent additional military assets to the Middle East in an effort to deter Iranian aggression.
Despite these policies, it is important to note that the Trump Administration has not pursued a policy of regime change in Iran. While the Administration has been critical of the Iranian government, it has not actively seeked to overthrow the regime.
The European Union’s policies
The European Union has a complicated relationship with Iran. The EU is committed to upholding the nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was agreed upon by Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Germany, and the European Union in 2015. The JCPOA restricts Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
However, the EU has also been critical of Iran’s human rights record and its role in regional conflicts such as the Syrian civil war. In January 2020, the EU imposed sanctions on Iranian officials for their alleged involvement in torture and other human rights abuses.
The EU’s policies towards Iran are likely to be shaped by the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. If the JCPOA collapsed and Iran restarted its nuclear program, this would increase tensions in the region and could lead to a military conflict. The EU would be caught in the middle of this conflict, as it is committed to both upholding the JCPOA and maintaining good relations with both Iran and the United States.
The United Nations’ policies
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II with the aim of preventing another such conflict. At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; there are now 193.
What’s at Stake
There’s more to the recent headlines than meets the eye. While it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of the conflict, it’s important to understand the historical context and what’s really at stake. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of what’s really going on between Iran and the USA.
The global economy
The U.S. and Iran are two of the world’s leading oil producers, and any disruption in production could lead to a spike in oil prices. This would be felt around the world, as most countries rely on imported oil to keep their economies running. A significant increase in oil prices could also lead to inflation, as the cost of transportation and other goods would go up.
In addition, the U.S. and Iran are both major players in the global economy, and any conflict between them could have a ripple effect on financial markets and cause disruptions in trade. This could lead to a downturn in the global economy and throw countries into recession.
The environment
There is more than just a political spat taking place between the US and Iran – the environment is also at stake. The US pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, which was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear output in return for the lifting of sanctions. This move put the US at odds with the other signatories of the deal, including China, France, Russia, and the UK.
The US’s withdrawal from the deal has had a number of environmental consequences. Firstly, it has contributed to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from Iran. The country has been able to increase its production of oil and gas since the sanctions were lifted, and this has resulted in an increase in emissions.
Secondly, the increased tensions between the US and Iran have led to a number of military strikes in Iraq, which have had a devastating impact on Iraqi civilians and infrastructure. These strikes have also caused environmental damage, with oil refineries being destroyed and toxic chemicals being released into the environment.
Finally, the US’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has made it harder for the international community to take action on climate change. The deal was seen as a key step in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and without it, there is a risk that other countries will follow suit and withdraw from their own commitments to tackling climate change.
All of these factors show that there is more at stake in the US-Iran conflict than just politics – the environment is also at risk.
Human rights
There are a number of serious human rights issues at stake in the current conflict between Iran and the United States. Both countries have a long history of human rights abuses, and there is no reason to believe that either side would hesitate to violate the rights of civilians in the course of this conflict.
In Iran, the government has a long track record of persecuting religious minorities, political dissidents, and other groups that it views as threats to its power. In the past, these groups have been subjected to arbitrary arrest, torture, and execution. The government has also severely restricted freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
In the United States, President Trump has already shown a willingness to trample on human rights in the name of national security. He has attempted to ban travelers from several Muslim-majority countries, and his administration has separated families and detaine children in inhuman conditions at the border. If the conflict with Iran escalates, it is likely that Trump will again abuse his power in order to advance his own political agenda.
Both sides in this conflict have a lot to lose if they start violating human rights. The world is watching, and if either side commits atrocities, they will be held accountable.
What You Can Do
Stay informed
The United States and Iran are on the brink of war. In the past few days, there have been a series of escalations that have put the two countries on a collision course.
The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against Iran, imposing harsh economic sanctions and increasing military presence in the region. Iran, in turn, has been escalating its nuclear program and making aggressive moves in the Strait of Hormuz.
So what can you do?
First and foremost, stay informed. The media is not doing a good job of covering this story, so it’s up to you to get the facts. Read articles from multiple sources, and don’t just rely on headlines.
Second, talk to your elected officials. Let them know that you’re paying attention to this issue and that you want them to do everything they can to avoid war.
Finally, be ready for anything. This situation is evolving quickly, and it’s impossible to predict what will happen next. Keep an eye on the news and be prepared for anything.
Speak out
The most important thing you can do right now is to raise your voice. The media isn’t giving this story the attention it deserves, and so it’s up to us to make some noise. Here are some things you can do:
1. Share this story on social media using the hashtag #IranVsUSA.
2. Write to your representatives and demand that they take action.
3. Raise awareness among your friends and family.
4. Attend a protest or rally in your area.
5. Make a donation to a charity working on the ground in Iran.
Every little bit helps. We have to act now before it’s too late.
Support organizations working for peace
The United States and Iran are in the midst of a conflict that could lead to war. But there are things you can do to help promote peace and prevent further violence.
One way to support peace is to donate to or volunteer for organizations working for peaceful solutions to the conflict. These organizations provide critical support to those affected by the violence and work to prevent further violence.
Some organizations working for peace in the US and Iran include:
-The National Iranian American Council: NIAC is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Iranian-American engagement on civic and political issues.
-The Iranian Diplomacy Committee: The Iranian Diplomacy Committee is a group of concerned citizens who work to promote diplomacy between the United States and Iran.
-Peace Action: Peace Action is a grassroots organization working for peace and disarmament through education, advocacy, and organizing.
You can also take action by contacting your representatives in Congress and urging them to support diplomacy with Iran and oppose any unilateral military action. To find your representatives in the US House of Representatives, visit http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/. To find your Senators, visit http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.
