From 1953 to Today: How Iran and America Became Bitter Enemies

Understanding the Middle East in Simple Terms

The Middle East is a region in Western Asia that includes countries such as Iran, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Bahrain. The region is extremely important globally because it holds a large portion of the world’s oil reserves.

Oil brings wealth, but it also attracts foreign interest and competition. Powerful nations, including the United States, have long been involved in the Middle East for strategic, political and economic reasons. While oil is important, it is not the only reason global powers act in the region.

The History of U.S.–Iran Relations

Modern tensions between the United States and Iran can be traced back to 1953. Iran’s Prime Minister at the time, Mohammad Mossadegh, nationalised the country’s oil industry. Shortly after, a coup — widely reported by historians to have been backed by the CIA — removed him from power.

The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, then ruled for 26 years with strong support from the United States. Although he modernised parts of Iran, many citizens opposed his rule and criticised his human rights record.

In 1979, a revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah and established the Islamic Republic of Iran. Later that same year, Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held American diplomats hostage for 444 days. Since then, diplomatic relations between the two countries have remained hostile.

Why Israel and Iran Are Rivals

After the 1979 revolution, Iran’s leadership adopted a strong ideological position against Israel, questioning its legitimacy as a state. Israel, in turn, sees Iran as a serious security threat.

One major point of tension is Iran’s nuclear programme. Israel and the United States fear Iran could develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy purposes. This disagreement has led to sanctions, diplomatic standoffs and military threats over the years.

Religion and Regional Power Struggles

The Middle East is also shaped by religious divisions. Islam has two main branches: Sunni and Shia. Iran is predominantly Shia, while Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni. This divide has influenced political alliances and conflicts across the region.

Many conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon reflect broader struggles for regional influence between major powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia.

America’s Broader Strategy

Some believe the United States only gets involved in countries because of oil. However, history shows that American foreign policy also considers political, military and strategic interests.

For example, Afghanistan does not have major oil reserves, yet the U.S. intervened there after 2001. During the Korean War, America defended South Korea despite the absence of significant oil resources. These examples demonstrate that oil is only one factor among many in U.S. foreign policy decisions.

Why Tensions Remain Dangerous

The rivalry between Iran and Israel, combined with U.S. involvement, makes the Middle East one of the most volatile regions in the world. Any direct military confrontation could have serious global consequences.

For now, tensions are managed through deterrence, diplomacy, sanctions and indirect conflict. However, the situation remains fragile, and any major development could shift the balance of power in the region.