U.S. Involvement in the Iranian Revolution (1978–79)

The U.S. was deeply entangled:

• 1953: CIA-backed coup ousted PM Mosaddegh (nationalized oil), restoring the Shah.
• 1970s: U.S. supported Shah with arms, training, nuclear tech.
• 1978: Protests grew; U.S. wavered, then distanced.
• Nov 1979: U.S. Embassy seized; 52 hostages held 444 days.
• 1980: U.S. imposed sanctions (still largely in place).
• 2003: Iraq invasion heightened tensions.
• 2015: Nuclear deal (JCPOA); U.S. withdrew in 2018.

Revolution replaced a U.S. ally with an anti-American theocracy, defining decades of hostility.