Primer 101 on US-Iranian tensions. How did they start?
Thread
Before we begin it’s important to know a couple of points:
* Iran sits between Iraq and Afghanistan
* Iranians are NOT Arabs (neither Iranians nor Arabs like this confusion)
Thread
Before we begin it’s important to know a couple of points:
* Iran sits between Iraq and Afghanistan
* Iranians are NOT Arabs (neither Iranians nor Arabs like this confusion)
* ~95% are Shi’a — not Sunni — Muslims
* Sunni Muslims comprise ~80% of all Islam
* Sunni Muslims comprise ~80% of all Islam
The origins of the tension rested on oil.
In 1901, Australian William D’Arcy, wanted to counter an Imperial Russian threat by securing a Western footprint in the region. Funded by Britain, Anglo-Persian (later BP) oil co was formed.
In 1901, Australian William D’Arcy, wanted to counter an Imperial Russian threat by securing a Western footprint in the region. Funded by Britain, Anglo-Persian (later BP) oil co was formed.
He gained the rights to search for oil in Iran (then called Persia by the West) from Shah Muzaffar al-Din, who — in a pretty rotten deal for Iran — agreed to take just 16% of any oil profits found.
D’Arcy’s concession covered 3/4 of Persia. And Persian ministers got heavy cuts of shares.
By 1904, money ran out. To find financing, D’Arcy travelled to the French Riviera for a potential partnership with the French Rothschilds.
By 1904, money ran out. To find financing, D’Arcy travelled to the French Riviera for a potential partnership with the French Rothschilds.
The British govt found out and sent ‘ace spy’ Sidney Reilly (model for Ian Fleming’s James Bond) to stop negotiations.
Reilly dressed as a Catholic priest, talked D’Arcy out of a deal with the French, and got him to return to London.
Reilly dressed as a Catholic priest, talked D’Arcy out of a deal with the French, and got him to return to London.
Anglo-Persian struck oil in 1908. Some years later, Royal-Dutch and US oil companies also arrived in Iraq.
The West was now in the East.
Until he died William D’Arcy never set foot in Persia.
The West was now in the East.
Until he died William D’Arcy never set foot in Persia.
British and US corps had control of the bulk of Iran’s reserves — a profitable arrangement they had no desire to change.
However!
In 1951, Iran’s newly elected prime minister interrupted Western control.
However!
In 1951, Iran’s newly elected prime minister interrupted Western control.
Educated in France and Switzerland, Muhammad Mossadegh (1882-1967) received the 1st Doctorate law in Persia.
He later entered politics as Governor, Parliamentary member, Finance Minister, and then PM.
He later entered politics as Governor, Parliamentary member, Finance Minister, and then PM.
(And his wife was a princess!)
Mossadegh planned to:
* nationalise the country’s oil industry
* foster national self-sufficiency
* form a “clean government”
* make court systems independent
* plan social reforms and the rights of women & workers
* promote free elections
Mossadegh planned to:
* nationalise the country’s oil industry
* foster national self-sufficiency
* form a “clean government”
* make court systems independent
* plan social reforms and the rights of women & workers
* promote free elections
* defend freedom of religion and political affiliations
* refuse oil concessions to the USSR
* pay for rural development projects and assist farmers
The Shah, generals, top clerics, the wealthy, Communists, and Britain and US opposed him.
* refuse oil concessions to the USSR
* pay for rural development projects and assist farmers
The Shah, generals, top clerics, the wealthy, Communists, and Britain and US opposed him.
Churchill and Eisenhower were alarmed.
In ’53 CIA and Britain’s MI6 devised Operation Ajax—a secret plan to overthrow Mossadegh and replace him with a leader ‘receptive’ to Western interests.
nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB2…
In ’53 CIA and Britain’s MI6 devised Operation Ajax—a secret plan to overthrow Mossadegh and replace him with a leader ‘receptive’ to Western interests.
nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB2…
Mossadegh was deposed.
A new govt was installed in August 1953, Reza Shah Pahlavi — from Iran’s royal family — its head.
In exchange for 10s of millions of $ in aid, he gave 80% of Iran’s oil reserves to the Americans and British.
A new govt was installed in August 1953, Reza Shah Pahlavi — from Iran’s royal family — its head.
In exchange for 10s of millions of $ in aid, he gave 80% of Iran’s oil reserves to the Americans and British.
The ‘King of Kings’ spent billions on parties, palaces … and US weapons. Largely with US $.
But the Shah was also a brutal dictator whose secret SAVAK police tortured and murdered thousands of Iranians.
Many fled the country.
But the Shah was also a brutal dictator whose secret SAVAK police tortured and murdered thousands of Iranians.
Many fled the country.
In 1971, his ‘most lavish party in history’ at Persepolis was a tipping point to greed at the expense of the people.
Iranians bitterly resented the Shah … and US intervention in its affairs.
Iranians bitterly resented the Shah … and US intervention in its affairs.
Fed up with Shah Reza Pahlavi they turned to the anti-American Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a charismatic Shi’ite cleric living in exile in France.
His Islamist reformist movement promised greater independence for Iranians.
His Islamist reformist movement promised greater independence for Iranians.
In July 1979, the revolutionaries forced the Shah’s abdication. He and his family fled to Egypt.
Concurrently, the Shah was diagnosed with cancer. Reluctantly, President Jimmy Carter allowed him to come to the US for medical treatment.
Concurrently, the Shah was diagnosed with cancer. Reluctantly, President Jimmy Carter allowed him to come to the US for medical treatment.
On 4 November 1979, a group of Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran and took 66 American hostages.
They wanted a clean break from decades of excessive Peacock Throne rule.
They wanted a clean break from decades of excessive Peacock Throne rule.
The Ayatollah (top Twelver Shi’a cleric) installed a new Islamist govt and anti-American sentiment in Iran exploded.
Carter froze Iran’s US assets.
The Ayatollah released 13 women, non US hostages (1 released for health).
Carter froze Iran’s US assets.
The Ayatollah released 13 women, non US hostages (1 released for health).
Economic sanctions were imposed. A 1980 rescue mission (Operation Eagle Claw) failed. 8 troops were killed when their helicopter crashed with a plane in the desert from whirling sand.
In July 1980, the Shah died in Egypt.
In July 1980, the Shah died in Egypt.
After 444 days, the hostages were set free on 21 Jan 1981, just hours after President Ronald Reagan delivered his inaugural address.
The event arguably cost Jimmy Carter a 2nd term as president.
The event arguably cost Jimmy Carter a 2nd term as president.
In July 1988, the USS Vincennes was in the Straits of Hormuz — one of the world’s busiest waterways — safeguarding oil transit.
The ship entered Iranian waters; Captain Rogers disobeyed orders to turn back.
The ship entered Iranian waters; Captain Rogers disobeyed orders to turn back.
Vincennes then incorrectly identified an Airbus 300 passenger plane, Iran Air Flight 655, as a fighter jet.
It shot the plane down, killing all 290 people on board.
It shot the plane down, killing all 290 people on board.
Iran took the US to the International Court of Justice at The Hague in May 1989.
In 1996 the US paid $61.8 million to the victims’ families.
Captain Rogers was ordered the Legion of Merit for “outstanding service” by George HW Bush.
In 1996 the US paid $61.8 million to the victims’ families.
Captain Rogers was ordered the Legion of Merit for “outstanding service” by George HW Bush.
Iran’s sanctions remained. Its Ayatollahs remained. Its government hardline against the US remained.
In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.
In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.
In the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspectors to Iran in return for lifting crippling economic sanctions.
And its US frozen assets from the 1970s were returned.
apnews.com/727282bdead648…
And its US frozen assets from the 1970s were returned.
apnews.com/727282bdead648…
Under Donald Trump, the US pulled out from the Iran nuclear deal on 8 May 2018.
On 3 January 2020, Trump ordered the assassination of Iran’s top military leader, General Qassem Suleimani.
On 3 January 2020, Trump ordered the assassination of Iran’s top military leader, General Qassem Suleimani.
