IRAN

History of Iran/Western Relations

History of Iranian Relations with Western Nations

Today there are no formal diplomatic relations between Iran and The US

Do not exchange ambassadors -Iran maintains an interests section at

the Pakistani embassy in Washington D.C -US maintains an interests section at

the Swiss embassy in Tehran

The Beginning

Relations between the two nations began in the mid nineteenth century

The US was seen as a trustworthy Western power Arthur Millspaugh and Morgan Shuster appointed

treasurers-general by the Shahs During World War II Iran was invaded by the United

Kingdom and the Soviet Union -US allies

US relations continued to be positive after the war until the government of Mohammad Mossadeq

-Overthrown by a Coup organized partially by CIA

The Coup

1953-Prime Min Mohammed Mossadeq was overthrown by CIA organized coup

Iranians argue the 1953 coup and US support for the shah were responsible for the shah's arbitrary rule

-Led to the deeply anti-American character of the 1979 revolution

“We like to forget the history, Iranians don't. In 1953, The United States and Britain overthrew the parliamentary government of Iran and installed a brutal dictator. In 1979, the population overthrew the dictator. And since then the United States has been essentially torturing Iran: First tried the military coup and then supported Saddam Hussein during Iraq’s invasion of Iran which killed hundreds of thousands of people and after that United States started imposing harsh sanctions on Iran.

-Noam Chomsky, The Real News (November 2007)

Hostility

Hostility begins after the 1979 Iranian Revolution US fears that Iran is developing nuclear weapons shortly after

the Revolution 1995-the United States starts an embargo on trade with Iran US District court judge says that the Iran was responsible for

the 1983 attack on US Embassy US Fed court finds Khobar Towers bombing was authorized by

Ali Khomeini -Ayatollah of Iran

United States attack of 1988 -United States launched Operation Praying Mantis against

Iran -Largest American naval combat operation since World

War II

Iranian Nuclear Program

Since 2003 the US has alleged that Iran has a program to develop nuclear weapons

Iran says that its nuclear program is only to generate electricity Both US and Iran are members of NPT -US and other countries in violation for not disarming -Iran in violation for not reporting nuclear material to IAEA March 8 2006 -US and European countries call on Security Council of UN to

act against Iran

Strait of Hormuz

Jan 3, 2012 -"We recommend to the American

warship that passed through the Strait of Hormuz and went to Gulf of Oman not to return to the Persian Gulf"

After threat: U.S. aircraft carrier goes through Strait of Hormuz without incident

-USS Abraham Lincoln -Joined by British and French ships,

showing international support

History Of Iranian Nuclear Program

Brief Iran Nuclear Program History

Atoms for Peace program Iranian Revolution

Iran – Iraq war Iran Program 2000 – present

In 2003 President Mohammad Khatami announcement of building sophisticated facilities at Natanz and other places

EU-3 Pushing Iran to sign the Additional Protocols Paris Agreement

In 2006 Iran reduces inspection rights of IAEA Sanctions

Key Players

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Sixth Iranian President Rose to power in 2005 Staunch opponent of US and Israel Hard stance on belief that Iran should

possess nuclear weapons

Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani

Two time Iranian president Decided to revive nuclear program in

1980’s Lost to Ahmadinejad in 2005 election Seeks to cooperate with UN regarding

nuclear program

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Lost 2009 election to Ahmadinejad Rarely speaks about nuclear program When he does, he disagrees with

Ahmadinejad’s stance, calling it costly

President Barack Obama

US President Has called the idea of Iran possessing

nuclear weapons unacceptable Specifically opposed to Iran’s enrichment

of uranium Has left all options on the table as a

response to potential Iranian nuclear development

Game Theory

Game Model

Values: -100 to 100

Cell #1Iran Nuclear Develop – US does Invade

United States: 75 • Gains better relations with world community• Closer to goal of ending threats of

Nuclear Weapons world wide

Iran: -10• Economic Loss• Population Loss

Cell #2Iran Nuclear Development – US does not Invade

United States: -25 • Loss of soft power

Iran: 10• Gains hard power • More potential threat to Israel and rest of

world

Cell #3Iran has No Nuclear Development – US does Invade

United States: -50• Worldly image damaged • Economic loss

Iran -5• Loss of Bargaining power• Loss of creditability as a threat to other countries

Cell #4Iran has No Nuclear Development – US does not Invade

United States: 0 • No loss of lives • Closer to goal of eliminating nuclear weapons world wide

Iran: 0• The unknown to the rest of the world of being a potential nuclear threat