By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

News Junction

Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    Lost Illusions, or How the International Criminal Court has become a legal nonentity — RT World News
    Lost Illusions, or How the International Criminal Court has become a legal nonentity — RT World News
    April 24, 2025
    Nvidia supplier SK Hynix quarterly earnings top estimates
    Nvidia supplier SK Hynix quarterly earnings top estimates
    April 24, 2025
    Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to represent Canada at Pope Francis’s funeral – National
    Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to represent Canada at Pope Francis’s funeral – National
    April 24, 2025
    LSU Health Shreveport chancellor David Guzick announces resignation Wednesday
    LSU Health Shreveport chancellor David Guzick announces resignation Wednesday
    April 24, 2025
    What is foreign aid? How “Official Development Assistance” is measured
    What is foreign aid? How “Official Development Assistance” is measured
    April 24, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Ukraine blows up bridges to consolidate its positions in Russia
    Ukraine blows up bridges to consolidate its positions in Russia
    August 18, 2024
    Commentary: AI phones from Google and Apple will erode trust in everything
    Commentary: AI phones from Google and Apple will erode trust in everything
    August 18, 2024
    The most famous Indian Dishes – Insights Success
    The most famous Indian Dishes – Insights Success
    August 18, 2024
    Life on the road as a female long rides cyclist
    Life on the road as a female long rides cyclist
    August 18, 2024
    UK inflation rises to 2.2%
    UK inflation rises to 2.2%
    August 18, 2024
  • Cryptocurrency
    CryptocurrencyShow More
    Americans lost .3B to crypto fraud in 2024 — FBI
    Americans lost $9.3B to crypto fraud in 2024 — FBI
    April 24, 2025
    Bitcoin decouples? Crypto gains while gold pauses amid trade uncertainty
    Bitcoin decouples? Crypto gains while gold pauses amid trade uncertainty
    April 24, 2025
    Here’s why Trump meme coin exploded 70% today
    Here’s why Trump meme coin exploded 70% today
    April 24, 2025
    Top 7 Free Cloud Mining Sites to Watch in 2025—Before Trump’s Crypto Policies Hit
    Top 7 Free Cloud Mining Sites to Watch in 2025—Before Trump’s Crypto Policies Hit
    April 24, 2025
    Bitcoin Kingpin Or Con Artist? SEC Charges Crypto, Forex Firm Owner Over 0M Fraud
    Bitcoin Kingpin Or Con Artist? SEC Charges Crypto, Forex Firm Owner Over $200M Fraud
    April 24, 2025
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    How to Improve Your Spotify Recommendations
    How to Improve Your Spotify Recommendations
    August 18, 2024
    X says it’s closing operations in Brazil
    X says it’s closing operations in Brazil
    August 18, 2024
    Supermoon set to rise: Top tips for amateur photographers | Science & Tech News
    Supermoon set to rise: Top tips for amateur photographers | Science & Tech News
    August 18, 2024
    Scientists Want to See Videos of Your Cat for a New Study
    Scientists Want to See Videos of Your Cat for a New Study
    August 18, 2024
    OpenAI’s new voice mode let me talk with my phone, not to it
    OpenAI’s new voice mode let me talk with my phone, not to it
    August 18, 2024
  • Entertainment
  • Sports News
  • People
  • Trend
Reading: Iran and the US were once friends – what happened? | World News
Share
Font ResizerAa

News Junction

  • World News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Trend
  • Entertainment
Search
  • Recent Headlines in Entertainment, World News, and Cryptocurrency – NewsJunction
  • World News
  • Business
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Sports News
  • People
  • Trend
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
News Junction > Blog > World News > Iran and the US were once friends – what happened? | World News
Iran and the US were once friends – what happened? | World News
World News

Iran and the US were once friends – what happened? | World News

Published January 30, 2024
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE

It seems strange to think in this chaotic febrile epoch we are living in, but once upon a time Iran and the United States were friends.

But the Islamic Revolution of 1979 changed that, and since then the two states have seen tensions escalate again and again.

So much so, that there’s now the real possibility of a direct confrontation between the two foes.

The killing of three American servicemen in Jordan by Iranian-backed militias is the latest episode in a bitter rivalry that’s now four decades old.

But let’s first wind back.

Image:
Supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran during the revolution in 1979. Pic: Reuters

British and US intelligence were pivotal in helping the Iranian military overthrow Iran’s prime minister, Mohammad Mossadeq, in 1953.

This intervention, or meddling, as it was seen in the country, brought back to power the unpopular western-leaning monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was heavily dependent on US support for his power.

At the heart of this support was the promise of access to the country’s natural resources, particularly oil.

But, this alliance would soon be disrupted.

In 1979 the ground starts shifting across the country with a wave of civil unrest and popular protest.

FILE PHOTO OF FEBRUARY 1979 - The late leader and founder of the Islamic revolution Ayatollah Khomeini speak from a balcony of the Alavi school in Tehran during the country's revolution in February 1979. Iraninans celebrate the 20th anniverssary of the Revolution this week. DS/WS
Image:
Ayatollah Khomeini speaks from a balcony in February 1979. Pic: Reuters

This uprising would see the grand ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini, return from years of exile – his platform and power fuelled by vehement opposition to what he considered a servile pro-western monarchy.

Taking power with an iron grip, the new Supreme Leader would transform the country into a radical Islamic theocracy.

But this takeover would not end at Iran’s borders.

At the heart of the transformation, there was a desire to spread the revolution to neighbouring countries – a project that continues to this day.

In 1985 the emerging militant group Hezbollah pledged its allegiance to Khomeini – that relationship has gone from strength to strength.

And thanks to Iran’s patronage Hezbollah is now the most powerful militant group in the world, often described as a state within a state in Lebanon.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player


Alex Rossi looks at how Iran plays its influence across the Middle East

3:05

How does Iran influence the Middle East?

The spread of Iranian influence would grow exponentially over the next four decades, increasingly setting the country on a collision course with the United States and its allies.

The first big clash came quickly.

It arose after 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage at the US embassy by radical Iranian students.

They were held for 444 days from 4 November 1979 until their release in 1981.

The US saw this as a serious breach of international law, but in Iran it was viewed as a blow against excessive US influence and meddling in the country.

It also burnished the credentials of the new regime, who opposed normalising relations with western countries – particularly America, which was labelled the Great Satan by the ayatollahs in their increasingly fiery speeches about foreign policy.

Remains of a burned-out U.S. helicopter lies in front of abandoned chopper in the eastern desert region of Iran, April 27, 1980, one day after an abortive American commando raid to free the U.S. Embassy hostages. (AP Photo)
Image:
Remains of a burned-out US helicopter in the eastern desert region of Iran in 1980. Pic AP


Operation Eagle Claw – a disastrous US attempt to free the hostages – saw a helicopter crash into a transport aircraft, causing a fire that killed eight servicemen.

During this time the US had cut diplomatic ties with Iran and banned most trade – things were not looking great.

In 1980 Iraq invaded Iran – the countries had been massive rivals but were now at war. The United States lent its hefty support to Iraq led by Saddam Hussein. The fighting, which dragged on until 1988, saw huge casualties on both sides but it is estimated as many as one million Iranians died in the conflict.

Relations with the US would remain bad. The Beirut Barracks bombing, Operation Praying Mantis, the Iran-Contra Affair and sanctions were the punctuation marks for two countries ideologically opposed, that were seemingly always at, or close to conflict.

That was until 1998 when there appeared to be glimmers of hope that relations were improving. Secretary of state Madeleine Albright met with Iran’s deputy foreign minister – it was the highest level contact since the revolution but it would not last.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran. An Iranian woman walks past a U.S. helicopter CH-53 Sea Stallion that crashed in Iran in 1980, in Azadi (freedom) Square in Tehran April 25, 2010. A ceremony organized by Iran's Revolutionary guard marks the anniversary of the failed U.S. operation to rescue U.S. hostages in Iran in 1980. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: ANNIVERSARY POLITICS)
Image:
An Iranian woman walks past a US helicopter that crashed in Iran in 1980. Pic: Reuters

A few years later in 2002 and in a seminal speech President George Bush was labelling Iran as part of the “axis of evil” – its bedfellows Iraq and North Korea.

US officials would also claim Iran was operating a clandestine nuclear programme with the intent of building a bomb.

These were the years after 9/11.

Attempts to reach diplomatic understandings since then have mostly ended in failure.

President Barack Obama tried to use the carrot of sanctions relief to tame Iran’s nuclear program.

The agreement would eventually emerge as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Read more:
Who are the Iran-backed militia groups carrying out attacks?
International court rules on alleged Israel genocide case

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a ceremony at the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, 350 km (217 miles) south of Tehran, April 9, 2007. Iran announced on Monday it had begun industrial-scale nuclear fuel production in a fresh snub to the U.N. Security Council, which has imposed two rounds of sanctions on it for refusing to halt such work. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN)
Image:
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Natanz nuclear facility. Pic: Reuters

It was hoped that the deal would steer Iran away from the big bomb, or at the very least slow progress; but many Republicans viewed it with suspicion arguing that it – along with the lifting of sanctions – gave the Iranians more power to spread their pernicious influence across the region.

Enter stage Donald Trump. Exit stage deal. The one-time – but perhaps soon to be two – US president ripped up the agreement when he withdrew America from the JCPOA.

Iran and America were soon back in a spiral of escalation. President Trump would later designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terror organisation.

Perhaps, the most significant event that underlines how broken the relationship is and how far apart the two countries have become came in the form of a US drone strike on 3 January 2020.

Qassem Soleimani
Image:
Qassem Soleimani was assassinated. Pic: AP

Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC Quds force and one of the most powerful men in Iran – and by extension the region – was killed in the attack in Baghdad.

The American action sent shockwaves through the Middle East and Iran vowed revenge.

The regime also stated it would no longer restrict its nuclear program.

All of this forms the backdrop to current events. It is hard to see in the present climate how things can improve.

In fact, with the war raging in Gaza and Iranian-backed militias across the region taking pot shots at US forces, things look set to get even worse.

#Iran #friends #happened #World #News

TAGGED:friendshappenedIranNewsWorld
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article Durban communities demand end to ‘water crisis’ Durban communities demand end to ‘water crisis’
Next Article Period Sex Campaigns : Let’s Have Period Sex Period Sex Campaigns : Let’s Have Period Sex

You Might Also Like

PayPal’s stablecoin is first dollar-backed digital currency from a major U.S. financial institution
World News

PayPal’s stablecoin is first dollar-backed digital currency from a major U.S. financial institution

August 8, 2023
Salt Lake handed 2034 Winter Olympics but with IOC warning
World News

Salt Lake handed 2034 Winter Olympics but with IOC warning

July 24, 2024
Josh Tongue on leaving Worcestershire – ‘I needed a change at this stage of my career’
Sports News

Josh Tongue on leaving Worcestershire – ‘I needed a change at this stage of my career’

July 22, 2023
North Korean leader revisits flooded area, offers plan to bring people to capital, KCNA says
World News

North Korean leader revisits flooded area, offers plan to bring people to capital, KCNA says

August 10, 2024

About Us

NEWS JUNCTION (NewsJunction.xyz) Your trusted destination for global news. Stay informed with our timely and accurate reporting on diverse topics, including politics, technology, science, entertainment, sports, and more. Count on us for unbiased and reliable updates at your fingertips.

Quick Link

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact

Top Categories

  • World News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Sports News
  • Trend
  • People

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    © 2023 News Junction.
    • Blog
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?