Iran US United States Relations Since 1945

Abstract

The principal aim of this research work is to contribute towards the understanding of the history of Iran-US relations since 1945 through representation of an analysis in the light of contemporary historical facts. In the contemporary world the history of Iran-US relations is a vital factor of great and growing significance. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran both Tehran and Washington had enjoyed positive relations since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1883. The post-WWII crisis in Azerbaijan, better known as the Iranian Crisis of 1945-46, placed the US to the cockpit of Iranian affairs. Since then Iran-US relations developed steadily on the basis of mutual understanding. Before taking this kind of relationship a consolidated form, the US intelligence CIA funded and orchestrated the 1953 coup d’etat that overthrew the popular and nationalist Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq of Iran. This US intervention in Iranian politics left a permanent scar on the Iranians which has been hugely affecting Iran-US relationship. Paradoxically, known as one of the key events of Iran-US relations, the 1953 coup d’etat opened the door for rapid expansion and close bilateral relations on the state-to-state level between Iran and US while strained relations remained in the background. In 1979 when the world’s most popular Revolution took place in Iran in the form of anti-Shah and anti-American demonstration and brought the Islamic government of Imam Ayatullah Khomeini to power, the close Iran-US relations came to a sudden halt. After 1979 Iran-US relations have been hostile. Iran has increasingly been the focus of international attention for its uncompromising attitude towards the US. Today, the relationship between the two countries is more complex than ever because of its multi-dimensional characters. Moreover, because of domestic, regional and international dynamics of Iran-US relationship, it is a many-sided history. In this context, the present research work is accomplished which critically surveys Iran-US relations since 1945 up to the present time from three main dimensional perspectives: political, economic and cultural while other three dimensions namely regional, global and domestic have also been explored and incorporated with the study. However, in the present research work main emphasis has been given to Iran-US political relations. In the end, the study concludes with a prediction for future of Iran-US relations. Optimistically, although there are narrow chances of mending the decade-long hostile relations between Iran and the US, these are some false hopes as the study finds out. Therefore, the present study tries to conclude that despite some positive gestures which are still coming out of some great leaders from both countries to put the enmity once for all these are not enough to make a long-lasting bridge between Iran and the US. Hence, pessimistically, the study makes the final conclusion by highlighting that the internal and external elements in both countries opposed to the reconciliation are waiting like vultures to undo all good things and for sure make a mess of Iran-US relations in the days to come.