Iran before "Gay ass Muslim" revolution

Miami-Vice

Well-known member
  • Apr 19, 2010
    22,546
    14,469
    113
    The U.S. history of intervention in Iran is long, indirect, and highly consequential. Here’s a clear, chronological explanation of what America did in Iran and why it still matters today.


    1. 1953 Coup d’état (the most important event)

    What happened​

    • Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized Iran’s oil.
    • The CIA (with Britain’s MI6) organized Operation Ajax.
    • Mossadegh was overthrown.
    • The Shah of Iran (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi) was restored to absolute power.

    Why the U.S. intervened​

    • Protect Western oil interests (British and U.S.)
    • Cold War fear that Iran might drift toward the Soviet Union
    • Desire for a pro-Western, stable regime

    Consequences​

    • Iran lost its democratic path
    • Shah ruled as an authoritarian backed by U.S.
    • Deep, lasting anti-American resentment
    • This event is often cited as the root cause of modern U.S.–Iran hostility

    2. Support for the Shah (1953–1979)

    What the U.S. did​

    • Provided:
      • Military aid
      • Intelligence support
      • Weapons
    • Trained and backed SAVAK, Iran’s secret police

    Why​

    • Iran was a key U.S. ally in the Middle East
    • Containment of Soviet influence
    • Oil and regional stability

    Outcome​

    • Economic modernization for elites
    • Severe repression of opposition
    • Growing public anger

    3. 1979 Iranian Revolution

    What changed​

    • Shah was overthrown
    • Islamic Republic established under Ayatollah Khomeini
    • U.S. embassy seized; 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days

    U.S. role​

    • No direct military intervention during the revolution
    • The crisis hardened hostility on both sides

    4. Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988)

    What the U.S. did​

    • Backed Iraq (Saddam Hussein) indirectly:
      • Intelligence sharing
      • Financial facilitation
      • Political support
    • Looked away from Iraq’s use of chemical weapons

    Why​

    • Prevent Iran’s revolutionary ideology from spreading
    • Maintain balance of power

    Consequences​

    • Over 1 million casualties combined
    • Iran views this as proof the U.S. is its enemy

    5. Direct military clashes (1980s)

    Key incidents​

    • Operation Praying Mantis (1988):
      U.S. destroyed much of Iran’s navy in one day
    • Iran Air Flight 655 (1988):
      U.S. warship shot down Iranian civilian airliner, killing 290 people

    Impact​

    • Deep trauma in Iran
    • U.S. later expressed regret, but never formally apologized

    6. Sanctions & pressure (1990s–present)

    What the U.S. does​

    • Extensive economic sanctions
    • Cyber operations (e.g., Stuxnet attack on nuclear facilities)
    • Targeted killings (e.g., Qassem Soleimani in 2020)

    Why​

    • Nuclear concerns
    • Regional influence
    • Support for proxy groups

    7. JCPOA (2015) and collapse

    What happened​

    • U.S. and allies signed nuclear deal with Iran
    • Iran limited nuclear program
    • U.S. withdrew in 2018 under Trump
    • Sanctions reimposed

    Result​

    • Relations deteriorated again
    • Iran resumed nuclear enrichment