The History Behind the US–Iran Conflict: From Allies to Adversaries
The long-standing conflict between the United States and Iran is one of the most consequential and complex geopolitical rivalries in modern history. It has been shaped by imperialism, Cold War politics, revolution, nuclear ambitions, and regional power struggles. Understanding this conflict requires a deep dive into a century of shifting alliances, covert operations, ideological divides, and strategic competition.
1. Early Ties and Oil Interests (1900s–1953)
Iran’s modern political tensions with the West can be traced back to the early 20th century when Britain and Russia competed for influence over Persian territory and oil reserves. By the 1930s and 1940s, the United States entered the region with interests in oil exploration and commercial ventures.
The critical turning point came in 1951, when Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh nationalised the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP), challenging British and Western economic control. In response, the CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup in 1953 (Operation Ajax), overthrowing Mossadegh and reinstating the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This move sowed the seeds of anti-American sentiment that still lingers today.
2. The Shah’s Rule and Western Alignment (1953–1979)
Following the coup, the Shah ruled Iran as an autocrat, with unwavering support from the United States. He implemented rapid modernisation and secularisation under the White Revolution, while also establishing the SAVAK, a brutal secret police force, with CIA assistance.
Despite economic growth, political dissent was crushed, and many Iranians viewed the Shah as a Western puppet. The growing disparity between modernisation and political repression led to widespread unrest. Meanwhile, the US saw Iran as a bulwark against Soviet influence during the Cold War and provided military and economic aid.
3. The 1979 Islamic Revolution and Hostage Crisis
In 1979, after mass protests and religious mobilisation, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini led the Islamic Revolution, overthrowing the Shah and establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran. The revolution dramatically shifted Iran’s foreign policy. The new regime was explicitly anti-Western, anti-imperialist, and hostile to the United States.
Later that year, Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days. The crisis humiliated the Carter administration and permanently ruptured diplomatic relations between the two nations. The United States imposed sanctions and became an implacable opponent of the new regime.
4. The Iran–Iraq War and American Support for Saddam Hussein (1980–1988)
In 1980, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein invaded Iran, triggering an eight-year war that devastated both countries. The United States, fearing Iranian expansionism and the spread of revolutionary Shi’ism, tilted towards Iraq, providing Saddam with intelligence, financial support, and military supplies, despite his use of chemical weapons.
At the same time, the Iran-Contra Affair (1985–1987) revealed that the Reagan administration secretly sold arms to Iran (despite an embargo) in exchange for help securing the release of hostages in Lebanon. The scandal further strained trust between the two nations.
5. Post-War Isolation and the Axis of Evil (1990s–2001)
Throughout the 1990s, Iran remained politically and economically isolated. The US imposed additional sanctions, citing Iran’s support for militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, its human rights abuses, and its suspected pursuit of nuclear technology.
In 2002, President George W. Bush included Iran in the “Axis of Evil”, alongside Iraq and North Korea, accusing it of harbouring terrorists and seeking weapons of mass destruction. This rhetoric further polarised relations, even as Iran initially supported the US campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan after 9/11.
6. The Nuclear Standoff and the JCPOA (2002–2018)
Iran’s nuclear programme came under intense scrutiny in the early 2000s. The United States, along with the EU and the IAEA, demanded inspections and restrictions. Tensions escalated, and by the 2010s, Iran was subject to crippling multilateral sanctions targeting its economy and oil exports.
In 2015, under President Barack Obama, the US and Iran (alongside other world powers) signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—a landmark deal that limited Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. It marked a rare moment of diplomatic breakthrough.
However, in 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA, calling it a flawed deal, and reimposed severe sanctions under a policy of “maximum pressure”. This reignited tensions and led to a series of escalations.
7. Assassinations, Proxy Wars, and Escalation (2019–2021)
After the US exited the JCPOA, Iran resumed parts of its nuclear programme. In January 2020, a US drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, a revered figure in Iran who was pivotal in orchestrating Iran’s regional influence. This act was seen by Iran as an act of war, prompting retaliatory missile attacks on US bases in Iraq.
During this period, Iran’s strategic alliance with proxies like Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shi’a militias in Iraq grew stronger. These groups have often clashed with US forces and allies, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia, fuelling regional instability.
8. Current Status: A Cold Peace or Renewed Confrontation? (2021–2025)
Under President Biden, there were initial attempts to revive the JCPOA, but talks stalled due to new Iranian conditions and the political sensitivity in Washington. Iran continues to enrich uranium far beyond JCPOA limits, raising concerns about weaponisation.
Meanwhile, cyber warfare (e.g., the Stuxnet virus, allegedly deployed by the US and Israel), maritime skirmishes in the Persian Gulf, and political assassinations have kept the US–Iran conflict simmering.
Tensions remain high, particularly in light of Iran’s support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other anti-Israel groups, while the United States maintains heavy military presence in the Middle East. The geopolitical rivalry has also spilled into international forums, influencing oil markets, regional alliances, and even global non-proliferation norms.
Conclusion
The US–Iran conflict is not merely the result of recent tensions or ideological disagreements; it is the product of decades of interventionism, revolution, proxy warfare, and mistrust. As both nations struggle with internal challenges and shifting global dynamics, the prospect of either reconciliation or renewed confrontation remains very real.
The path forward will depend on diplomacy, regional developments, and how both countries choose to engage with each other and the world.
