Why Doesn't Iran's Government Trust The United States?
Iran has maintained a long and unusual relationship with the US over the years. While the government stance highlights their issues, both parties want to find peaceful solutions. Considering that, we wanted to know a little more about the ins and outs of the situation. What events caused the Iranian government to stop trusting the United States and oppose their regime? That is what we will discover together during this article. As readers might expect, there are faults on both sides, and that only serves to complicate the relationship.
The 1979 Iranian Revolution
The Shah of Iran and his family were forced into exile following the 1979 Iranian revolution. Clerics and residents in the country knew their monarch was nothing more than a US puppet. He helped to make the country rich, but people saw that he bowed to any Western requests during his reign. When the Islamic Republic Party managed to overthrow the government, American policymakers were devastated. There was an element of Islamophobia involved, but they had other reasons to feel deflated. It meant their influence and control over the region deteriorated fast. There were plots to assassinate the new Ayatollah, and the US implemented sanctions in an attempt to cripple the Iranian economy.
The Iraqi Chemical Weapons Controversy
Between 1980 and 1988, Iran fought a brutal war against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army. During that time, money from both the UK and the US helped to support the dictator’s violent actions. Indeed, the entire Western world refrained from interfering in the conflict for that reason. Saddam's Army used mustard gas and other illegal chemical weapons. He was never prosecuted, and Iran saw that as approval from the United States. The UN could have intervened and stopped the bloodshed at any point. However, they seemed to provide the Iraqi army with everything they might need.
The Nuclear Weapons Program
For more than two decades, scientists in Iran have tried to master the art of nuclear fusion. The Ayatollah claims the technology would boost the Iranian economy to achieve prosperity. While Iran is an oil rich country, the Supreme Leader knows that won’t last forever. The United States tried to stop Iran from developing nuclear power due to safety concerns. They know that energy technology is only one step away from a nuclear bomb. That is why Mark Dubowitz assisted in negotiating a deal that benefited the US last year. However, Iran has already broken the agreement by testing ballistic missiles capable of carrying a warhead.
The US/Iran issue is complicated, and it’s not something people can understand without a lot of research. As with most things in this world, the truth is very different from what you might hear on the TV. Iran is a peaceful nation with a history of treating other countries with respect. However, it’s no surprise they struggle to maintain good relations with the US. If America offered an olive branch without malicious intentions, the situation could improve. Even so, that’s never likely to happen when the people in power on both sides are this paranoid. Don’t expect to see the US and Iran shaking hands for many years to come.
