CONFRONTATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IRANAFGHANISTAN RELIGIOUS AND

RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR VALUES CLASH IN IRAN • Oil industry fueled conflict • Shah

UNITED STATES SUPPORT SECULAR RULE • 1950’ the Shah westernizes Iran • Skyscrapers, banks,

KHOMEINI’S ANTI-US POLICIES • 1979 US admits the shah for medical treatment • Response:

SUPERPOWERS FACE OFF IN AFGHANISTAN • 1950’s increase soviet influence • Late 1970’s Muslim

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CONFRONTATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IRAN/AFGHANISTAN

RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR VALUES CLASH IN IRAN • Oil industry fueled conflict • Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi- leader of Iran – • Embraces western gov’t & oil companies • Iranian nationalists • United under Prime Minister Muhammad Mossaddeq • Seized & nationalized all British oil companies • Force shah to flee 1953 • US fears Mossaddeq will gain Soviet help • Arrest Mossaddeq= power returned to Shah

UNITED STATES SUPPORT SECULAR RULE • 1950’ the Shah westernizes Iran • Skyscrapers, banks, modern factories etc. • Millions Iranian live in poverty • Limit Islamic legal and Academic experts (weaken political influence of religion) • Ayatollahs- Iran’s Conservative Muslim leaders • • • Opposed Shah’s westernization of Iran Leader- Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini –in exile Leads workers on strike 1978 - riots all over Iran 1979 Shah flees, Khomeini returns to establish an Islamic State Bann western influences, reinstates Muslim values, Islamic law=legal code

KHOMEINI’S ANTI-US POLICIES • 1979 US admits the shah for medical treatment • Response: • Islamic revolutionaries seize US embassy take 60 American hostages • Demanded return of Shah for trial • Hostages released 1/20/1981 (444 days) • Khomeini encourages Muslim fundamentalists to overthrow secular gov’t in neighboring countries unify Muslims • Result: • Increased tensions between Iran(Shi’a) and Iraq(Sunnis) • 1980 -1988 war Khomeini v Saddam Hussein • US sells weapons to Iran in exchange for hostages

SUPERPOWERS FACE OFF IN AFGHANISTAN • 1950’s increase soviet influence • Late 1970’s Muslim revolt threatens communist regime • Result in Soviet invasion December 1979 • Afghan rebels (mujahideen) backed by US through weapon aid = overpower Soviets • Pres. Carter warned Soviets if try to gain control of Persian Gulf he would repel using any means necessary. • US placed embargo of grain and boycotted 1980 Olympic games in Moscow • 1989 Soviet Pres Gorbachev withdrew troops=political and economic unrest tore Soviet Union apart.