Iran Before 1935 Iran was known as Persia

Iran

�Before 1935 Iran was known as Persia. �The discovery of oil in the early 20 th Century generated international interest in the nation. �The United States became increasingly interested in Iran following World War II, because of the oil reserves. A brief history of Iran

�In 1953 the United States and Britain helped plan and a coup to remove the Prime Minister, and bring back to power a pro-Western monarch, Shah (Ruler), back to power. The overthrow of Iraninan Government

�Under the rule of the Shah Iran became a closer ally to the United States and received large amounts of military and economic aid from America through the late 1960's. �With the help of American and British Defense programs, Iran became one of the Middle Easts strongest military powers. �During this time of close ties with the United States, Iran became Westernized. �Because of the Westernization the Islamic state clergy did not approve of the changes to the Iranian culture. Iran under the Shah

�During the period of Westernization an exiled Spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini, led an opposition group against the Shah and his monarchy. Ayatollah Khomeini

�In 1979 the opposition to the Shah grew and the Islamic revolution took control of Iran from the Monarchy. �A Theocracy replaced the Monarchy, ◦ -The leader of the Theocracy was The supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. Islamic Revolution

�After the revolution the new Theocracy, did not forget about what the United States and Britain had done to help install the shah as the leader of Iran. �“America is the great Satin” Ayatollah Khomeini Anti-American Sentiment

�On November 4, 1979 Iranian students and militants stormed the United States Embassy taking more than 50 people hostage. �The hostages were held captive for 444 days. The Hostage Crisis

�The Crisis strained relations between the United States and Iran even more, than they had been after the Islamic Revolution. �The structure of Government in Iran has remained the same since the Islamic Revolution, and the Anti-American presence can be seen throughout the government. After the Hostage Crisis

�In 1995, The United States suspended all trade with Iran over its announced nuclear ambitions and alleged support of terrorist groups. �With the election of new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005, Iran’s Nuclear program was made a priority and was pushed to become fully operational. Iran’s Nuclear Program

�In 2006, Iran announced it had successfully produced enriched uranium. �The world reacted by calling for Iran to halt its nuclear plans. �Iran continued on with their nuclear program, the world responded with more sanctions on Iran. �The reason that the United States and other western countries are nervous about the nuclear program is that the construction of a nuclear plant for energy, will lead to the use of nuclear energy in the military.