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The US orchestrated a coup in Iran in 1953 to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. This action fostered deep-seated resentment and suspicion towards the US among Iranians, seeing America as a meddling force in their sovereign affairs.
After the coup, the US supported the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whose regime was known for its oppressive tactics and human rights abuses. Many Iranians perceived this support as America’s advocation for tyranny and exploitation, which led to further animosity.
The 1979 revolution, which resulted in the overthrow of the Shah, was partly fueled by anti-American sentiment. The religious leader and politician Ayatollah Khomeini was brought into power as a vehement opposition to Western influence.
Iran's theocratic government fundamentally opposes the secular and democratic values that the US stands for. This ideological conflict is what drives much of the mutual hostility between the nations, with Iran viewing the US as a corrupting influence on Islamic values.
The US's staunch support for Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy, has been a significant point of contention. Since the revolution in 1979, Iran's government has called for the destruction of Israel, while the US considers Israel a key ally in the Middle East.
In November 1979, Iranian militants stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. This hostage crisis was one of the longest in world history, and it significantly deteriorated relations, with the US imposing sanctions and severing diplomatic ties.
During the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), the US supported Iraq under Saddam Hussein (pictured), providing intelligence and economic aid. Iran saw this support as further evidence of US hostility, which further solidified their perception of America as an enemy.
In 1988, the US Navy accidentally shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 civilians. This tragedy deeply scarred Iranian citizens, and reinforced the belief that the US disregarded Iranian lives.
The heavy US military presence in the Persian Gulf is viewed by Iran as a constant threat and a form of intimidation. The US justifies its presence as necessary to protect shipping lanes and its allies, while Iran considers it as imperialistic.
In 2020, the US killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, in a drone strike. Iran considered this assassination as an act of war. Subsequently, the region experienced a major increase in tensions and retaliatory actions against US interests.
Both nations often engage in cyber operations against each other. In 2010, Americans released a malicious computer virus known as Stuxnet, which targeted Iran's nuclear facilities in the hopes of causing substantial damage.
The US frequently criticizes Iran for its human rights record, including its treatment of political dissidents and minorities. Iran, in turn, accuses the US of hypocrisy, pointing to America's own human rights issues and interventions abroad.
While Europe often acts as a mediator between the US and Iran, the US sanctions and policies can strain and potentially destroy European relations with Iran.
Iran's alliances with Russia and China have complicated US efforts to isolate Iran. These relationships provide Iran with economic and military support, countering US influence and fostering further antagonism.
As a response to historical grievances, Iranian leaders often use anti-American sentiment to rally domestic support and legitimize their rule.
Periodic military escalations between the two nations, such as the downing of drones or attacks on oil tankers, perpetuate the cycle of hostility. Each side views these incidents through a lens of aggression and defense, which makes reconciliation difficult.
Despite government hostilities, there are cultural and social exchanges between ordinary Americans and Iranians. These interactions can build mutual understanding and counteract negative stereotypes.
Sources: (Business Insider) (Al Jazeera) (DW) (The New Yorker) (The Daily Star)
See also: The US has not been involved in wars for only 6% of its existence
Even Iran's nuclear program has been a major source of conflict. The US suspects Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, which Iran denies. Efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions have led to further sanctions and diplomatic standoffs.
The US and Iran both support opposing sides in various regional conflicts, such as in Syria and Yemen (pictured). These proxy wars desperately exacerbate tensions, with both countries accusing each other of destabilizing the region through their interventions.
The US media often depicts Iran as a backward, hostile nation, while Iranian media portrays America as a corrupt, imperial power. These portrayals shape public perceptions and sustain enmity on both sides.
The US views alliances with countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel as essential to its Middle East strategy, while Iran sees these alliances as direct threats to its security and influence in the region.
Control over Middle Eastern oil has always been a critical concern for the United States. Iran is a major oil producer, and it perceives US policies in the region as attempts to dominate energy resources and undermine Iran's economy.
Sanctions and conflicts affect ordinary citizens and tend to exacerbate humanitarian issues. This humanitarian fallout creates further resentment against the US among Iranians, who suffer from the economic and social impacts of these policies.
The US designates Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, citing its support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Iran has often rejected these designations and has argued that it supports legitimate resistance movements against Israeli and Western aggression.
Iran has an enduring policy of exporting its revolutionary ideology, which has alarmed the US government. Iran supports Shia militant groups across the Middle East (such as Hezbollah, pictured), which the US sees as destabilizing and a threat to its interests and allies in the region.
The US has previously imposed extensive economic sanctions on Iran, all of which have severely impacted its economy. Iran has publicly denounced the sanctions and claims that they are a form of economic warfare aimed at crippling the nation and inciting regime change that would prove beneficial to the US.
Despite hostilities, there have been varied attempts at diplomacy in the hopes of bridging the gap between the two nations, including the intervention of the United Nations. However, trust is low, and any progress is often fragile, requiring sustained efforts and concessions from both sides.
From the CIA coup to the 1979 hostage crisis and today's conflicts, click through the gallery to see what is going on between these two countries.
Why are Iran and the US sworn enemies?
Will these two nations ever find peace?
LIFESTYLE Conflict
The animosity that exists between the United States and Iran is deeply rooted in many political and economic events that have unfolded over the last four decades. Tensions have risen and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight, especially as both countries are at proxy war in places like Gaza and Yemen.
From the CIA coup to the 1979 hostage crisis and today's conflicts, click through the gallery to see what is going on between these two countries.