Summary
Highlights
In the early 20th century, the British discovered oil in Iran and formed the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Iran received only 16% of the profits, leading to growing discontent.
During World War II, Iran was invaded by the British and Soviets to prevent Nazi influence and secure a supply route to the Soviet Union. The Shah was replaced with his younger son.
In 1951, Prime Minister Muhammad Mozedc nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. In response, Britain and the U.S. orchestrated a coup in 1953, overthrowing Mozedc and solidifying the Shah's power.
The Shah became a close ally of the U.S. during the Cold War but his policies alienated various groups within Iran: leftists, the working class and conservative clergy. By the late 1970s, full-scale revolution erupted, leading to the Shah's exile in 1979.
Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile, establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran. Revolutionaries stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in November 1979, taking 52 Americans hostage and leading to a severing of diplomatic relations.
In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, leading to an eight-year war. The U.S. supported Iraq, while Iran was implicated in anti-American terror attacks through its proxy, Hezbollah.
Incidents such as the mining of the Persian Gulf, Operation Praying Mantis, and the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, sharply escalated tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Following 9/11, President Bush labeled Iran as part of the 'axis of evil'. The U.S. invasion of Iraq spurred Iran to pursue nuclear weapons research, leading to international concerns.
In 2015, the Obama administration negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, lifting sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program and allowing inspections. However, this progress was later reversed.
In 2018, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions, leading to increased tensions, attacks on merchant ships, and the downing of an American drone.
In January 2020, the U.S. assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq, bringing the two countries to the brink of war.
Amidst heightened tensions and fear of retaliation, Iran accidentally shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, killing all 176 people on board. The event sparked protests and highlighted the human cost of the conflict.