Front Burner U.S. vs Iran: a decades-old fight
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Mar 3, 2026 Nader Hashemi, director and Georgetown professor specializing in Iranian politics and modern Islamic thought. He traces the 1953 coup, oil nationalization, the 1979 revolution and embassy seizure. He explains Iran’s use of proxies and asymmetric strategy, the rise and fall of the 2015 nuclear deal, and recent drivers that have pushed relations toward open conflict.
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1953 Coup Fueled By Cold War And Oil
- The 1953 CIA-British coup aimed to prevent perceived Soviet influence and protect Western oil interests in Iran.
- Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized oil, threatening Anglo-Iranian profits and prompting foreign intervention to restore the Shah's power.
Shah Modernization Masked Repression And Inequality
- The Shah's modernization brought visible social change but was top-down, repressive, and concentrated wealth among elites.
- That gap, plus his association with U.S. backing, eroded legitimacy and fueled popular resentment.
Khomeini United Diverse Forces With Islamic Vision
- Khomeini framed the revolution as freedom, independence, and an Islamic republic, appealing as an alternative to pro-Western dictatorship.
- The revolution united diverse groups—leftists, nationalists, and religious figures—under that umbrella.