Tensions between the United States and Iran have a long and complicated history, marked by a series of significant events that have shaped their relationship over the decades. It all began in 1953 when the US helped orchestrate a coup to remove Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh. His efforts to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company angered Britain, which had controlled Iranian oil since the early 1900s. The US Central Intelligence Agency supported the coup that reinstated the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to power.
Fast forward to 1957, the US and Iran entered into a nuclear agreement under President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace initiative. This collaboration aimed to develop Iran’s civilian nuclear program, laying the groundwork for future nuclear discussions. A decade later, the US provided Iran with a nuclear reactor and uranium, which has become a focal point in ongoing nuclear negotiations.
However, the relationship soured dramatically during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Many Iranians were unhappy with the shah’s repressive regime and the perceived influence of the West. Protests erupted, leading to the shah’s exile and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who established an Islamic republic.
In 1980, diplomatic ties between the US and Iran were severed after Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. The US responded with sanctions, and the shah died in exile shortly after.
The 1980s saw further deterioration as the US backed Iraq during its war with Iran, which lasted until 1988. The conflict was brutal, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The US also designated Iran as a "state sponsor of terror" in 1984, following attacks in Lebanon linked to Iranian-backed groups.
In 1988, a tragic incident occurred when a US naval ship mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 passengers. The US called it an accident but did not formally apologize, instead offering compensation to the victims’ families.
Throughout the 1990s, the US tightened sanctions on Iran, citing concerns over its nuclear ambitions and support for militant groups. This tension escalated after the September 11 attacks in 2001 when President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of an "Axis of Evil," despite earlier cooperation against the Taliban.
In 2013, a glimmer of hope emerged when President Barack Obama initiated talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This agreement aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, in 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to resume uranium enrichment beyond agreed limits.
The situation escalated in 2020 when the US killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike, leading to Iranian retaliation against US assets in Iraq.
Recently, in 2025, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing new negotiations for a nuclear deal. Khamenei rejected the offer, claiming it was more about US demands than genuine negotiations. Meanwhile, unofficial talks continued in Oman and Italy, with mixed signals from both sides.
In a surprising turn of events, the US launched airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, citing security concerns and the defense of Israel. This latest development has raised alarms about the potential for further conflict in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the complex history between the US and Iran continues to influence their interactions, with both sides facing pressure to find a diplomatic solution amidst rising tensions.