US-Iranian relations before and after the islamic revolution in Iran

Abstract

This study presents a history of the relations between the United States and Iran before and after the Iranian revolution of 1979, and seeks to account for the reasons behind deep hostility between the two countries. It gives an account of the Iranian revolution and examines its impact on the relations between the two countries. Although both countries have legitimate grievances against each other, misperception and misleading dispositions have also contributed to the enmity between Iran and the United States. The United States’ failure in Iran is attributed to its neglect of Iranian history, culture and religious orientation. The study concludes that an early dialogue between the United States and Iran is not conceivable; but given the realities of the interdependent world and the fact that the United States is a global and Iran is a regional power, they cannot afford to disregard each other.