Decades of Enmity: The US-Iran Conflict Rooted in Historical Grievances
The longstanding conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated in recent months, but its roots trace back decades. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the Islamic Republic has labeled the US as the “Great Satan,” while Israel is referred to as the “Little Satan.” Iranian leaders view the US as an unwelcome presence in the Middle East, impeding their ambitions to spread their Islamic revolution. This animosity has been echoed in political speeches and sermons, often concluding with the chant, Marg bar Amrika, meaning “Death to America.” Conversely, the US perceives Iran as a relentless adversary.
What are the roots of the animosity?
The animosity between Iran and the US can be traced back to the 1953 coup orchestrated by the CIA and Britain’s MI6, which overthrew the democratically elected Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Mossadegh, celebrated by many Iranians for nationalizing the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, was replaced by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. The US and UK sought to restore their access to Iranian oil and prevent the spread of communism. However, this led many Iranians to view the Shah as a Western puppet, who maintained power through a brutal secret police force that suppressed opposition.
How did the Iranian revolution come about?
The Shah’s regime became increasingly corrupt and dysfunctional, culminating in severe economic downturns during the late 1970s. Widespread protests erupted, uniting secular leftists, nationalists, and Islamists. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a fundamentalist cleric exiled in France, emerged as the movement’s leader. The Shah fled Iran in January 1979, and Khomeini returned to establish a theocratic government by February 11. President Jimmy Carter allowed the Shah to enter the US for medical treatment, ignoring demands from the new Iranian regime for his extradition. This culminated in the US embassy hostage crisis on November 4, 1979, when Iranian students took 52 diplomats hostage for 444 days.
How did the US react?
The hostage crisis marked a significant turning point in US-Iran relations. President Carter ordered a rescue mission that ended in failure, resulting in the deaths of eight US servicemen. Following this, diplomatic relations were severed. Although the hostages were released in 1981, relations remained strained.
The 1980s saw the emergence of proxy conflicts. During the Iran-Iraq War, the US supported Iraq, fearing Iranian dominance in the Gulf. In 1983, a US peacekeeping mission in Lebanon led to the deaths of 241 American service personnel in a truck bombing, attributed to a Shia militia backed by Iran. The US subsequently designated Iran as a “state sponsor of terror.” In 1988, the US Navy mistakenly shot down an Iranian passenger plane, killing all 290 aboard. This period also saw Iran’s decision to pursue nuclear weapons, viewed by the US as a significant threat to Israel.
Have relations always been bad?
After the September 11 attacks, more moderate factions within Iran’s government sought dialogue, hoping to collaborate against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. However, in early 2002, President George W. Bush labeled Iran as part of the “axis of evil,” suggesting that regime change in Iran could follow Iraq. In response, Iran formed the “axis of resistance,” aligning itself with Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 initially alarmed Iranian leaders, but as the situation deteriorated, it presented an opportunity for Iran. Iranian-aligned Shia militias gained power in Iraq, leading to the deaths of numerous US soldiers. When President Obama took office in 2009, he aimed to ease tensions.
In 2015, a landmark agreement was reached between US-led negotiators and Iran’s President Rouhani to limit Iran’s nuclear program. Iran agreed to reduce its uranium centrifuges and allow inspections in exchange for lifted sanctions and the release of over $50 billion in frozen assets. However, President Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, claiming it did not adequately address Iran’s support for terrorism.
Why has the US attacked now?
The current US administration perceives Iran as vulnerable, exacerbated by sanctions that have led to a severe economic crisis. Major unrest erupted in late 2022, resulting in significant casualties. The attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, although not directly orchestrated by Iran, have led US and Israeli officials to consider military action against Iran due to its support for Hamas. The recent military actions against Hamas and Hezbollah have diminished deterrents against attacking Iran.
What about relations with Israel?
Before the 1979 revolution, Iran maintained relatively good relations with Israel, being the second Muslim-majority nation to recognize the Jewish state. However, anti-Zionist sentiment was prevalent, fueled by Shia clerics. Post-revolution, hostility towards Israel became a cornerstone of the Islamic Republic’s ideology. Ayatollah Khomeini severed diplomatic ties with Israel, branding it a colonial outpost and calling for its elimination.
This ideological opposition evolved into proxy conflicts, with Iran supporting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which engaged in confrontations with Israel. Israel has consistently opposed any rapprochement with Iran, conducting covert operations against its nuclear program, including targeted assassinations of Iranian scientists. While there is no evidence of Iranian involvement in the planning of the October 7 attacks, Iranian leadership has expressed support for Hamas and its objectives.
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Published on 2026-03-08 10:55:00 • By Editorial Desk
