U.S. relations in Iran

1. 2015 - The Iran deal was deal between 7 countries and Iran. It made Iran stop their development of nuclear weapons and in return the 7 countries will lift all nuclear-related economic sanctions, including oil embargos and financial restrictions. The 7 countries will also recognize Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and Iran will remain subject to a UN arms embargo for five years. Later on, the US withdrew from the agreement to continue economic sanctions which negatively affected the Iran economy. Iran estarted its nuclear enrichment program in 2019.

2. 1987 - The U.S gave aid to the anticommunists in Nicaragua and El Salvador. The congress bans any future aids to be sent to the anticommunists in Nicaragua (Contras). However, to get around the ban, president Reagans staff illegally sold weapons to Iran and gave the profits to the Contras. Reagan denied these allegations, claiming he had no knowledge about it.

3. 1979 - The Muslim religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah of Iran and took control of the nation.

4. 1979 - in November, the American embassy in Tehran was seized and 53 Americans were taken hostage. Riots were held in Washington D.C. that were against the holding of the hostages. The hostages weren't released until 1981, after the inauguration of Ronald Reagan.

5. 2009 - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the election against Mir Hossein Mousavi. This angered the Iranians and many protests were held in the streets. In 2013, Hassan Rouhani became the new leader of Iran. Rouhani agreed with the United States to end economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran’s commitment not to build nuclear weapons.