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On June 22, U.S. forces struck Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, launching a mix of submarine-launched Tomahawks and bunker-buster bombs. The operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” inflicted heavy damage, according to the U.S., though Iran claims the strikes were “superficial”
President Trump publicly floated the idea of regime change in Tehran — tweeting provocatively: “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
3. Iran retaliates — missile attacks and Hormuz threats
Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel that handles roughly a quarter of global oil shipments
4. U.S. officials say diplomacy still on the table
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the U.S. is “not at war” with Iran, maintaining that regime change isn’t the official goal 5. Global backlash and calls for de-escalation
UN, EU, UK, France, Germany and others called for calm and urged Iran not to escalate further
Israel supported the U.S. actions and carried out its own strikes on Tehran, including targeting Evin Prison
6. Russia condemns U.S. strikes — offers to mediate
Moscow strongly criticized the U.S. strike. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it “unprovoked aggression” and warned of a dangerous escalation
President Putin echoed these sentiments in a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, labeling the attacks “absolutely unprovoked” and signaling deep concern
Russia formally offered to mediate between the U.S. and Iran — positioning itself as a diplomatic intermediary, though specific support measures remain unclear .
Supreme Leader Khamenei has dispatched Araqchi to Moscow requesting enhanced Russian backing — likely diplomatic, but possibly military assistance, though the absence of a mutual defense clause in the January partnership treaty complicates expectations
Escalation risk remains high: Military responses from Iran and Israel, U.S. threats of further strikes, and global alarm signal serious tension.
Oil markets rattled: Talks of a potential Hormuz blockade and regional unrest drove Brent crude above $80/barrel earlier today .
Diplomacy being tested: Russia’s mediation offer may shift dynamics—be it soft-peace efforts or deeper involvement.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 13 | Mossad‑aided missile & drone strikes by Iran at Israel launch the regional conflict |
| June 20–21 | U.S.–EU nuclear talks stall as Israel ramps up its strikes . |
| June 22 | U.S. bombs Iranian nuclear sites; Trump teases regime change . |
| June 22–23 | Iran launches missile strikes on Israel, threats made to shut Strait of Hormuz . |
| June 23 | Russia condemns strikes, Putin meets Araqchi, offers mediation; Iran presses for Russian support . |
The History of U.S.–Iran Relations Since World War II: From Allies to Adversaries
In the wake of World War II, Iran was strategically important to both the U.S. and the Soviet Union due to its oil reserves and geographic location. Initially, the U.S. supported Iran’s constitutional monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
However, tensions escalated when Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) in 1951, challenging Western economic interests. In 1953, the CIA and Britain’s MI6 orchestrated a coup (Operation Ajax) to remove Mossadegh, restoring the Shah’s power. This event marked the beginning of deep Iranian mistrust toward U.S. involvement in its affairs.
Following the coup, the Shah became increasingly authoritarian, relying on U.S. military and economic support. The U.S. saw Iran as a bulwark against Soviet influence during the Cold War, and the Shah as a reliable regional partner. Iran purchased billions of dollars in American arms, and American advisors played a significant role in Iran’s governance and military.
While the Shah implemented modernization reforms—known as the White Revolution—they were top-down and repressive, alienating religious leaders, traditional merchants, and large segments of the population. The secret police, SAVAK, became infamous for torture and surveillance, much of it with U.S. training and funding.
Public resentment exploded in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolution deposed the Shah, who fled to the U.S. for medical treatment. Iranians, enraged by this, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days.
This crisis severed diplomatic relations between the two nations and reshaped American foreign policy in the Middle East. Iran was now officially an anti-American theocracy, while the U.S. began supporting Saddam Hussein’s Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), further worsening ties.
During the Iran–Iraq War, the U.S. supplied intelligence and materials to Iraq, despite Saddam’s use of chemical weapons. In 1988, the U.S. Navy mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians aboard—a wound that remains open in Iranian collective memory.
Meanwhile, Iran was accused of backing anti-U.S. militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was responsible for attacks on American military and diplomatic targets. Throughout the 1990s, U.S. policy became one of "dual containment" of both Iran and Iraq. Sanctions were imposed to curb Iran’s alleged support for terrorism and its nuclear ambitions.
In 2002, President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of the “Axis of Evil,” further isolating the country. The discovery of undeclared Iranian nuclear facilities intensified Western fears of weapon development. The U.S. led international efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear program through sanctions and diplomacy.
Yet during this period, Iran also played a complex role in Afghanistan and Iraq. Initially cooperating with the U.S. against the Taliban, Iran later supported Shi’a militias opposing U.S. forces in Iraq, deepening mutual suspicion.
After years of multilateral negotiations, Iran and six world powers (including the U.S.) reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. The deal limited Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief. President Obama hailed it as a diplomatic breakthrough.
However, in 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal, calling it "fatally flawed," and re-imposed crippling sanctions. Iran responded by gradually exceeding JCPOA limits. Tensions reached a peak in 2020 when a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on U.S. bases.
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. sought to return to the nuclear deal, but negotiations have faced delays and stalemates. Iran’s domestic crackdowns, support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and regional activities—including backing proxy groups in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon—have kept relations tense.
In 2023 and 2024, indirect talks continued, but hardliners in both governments have made compromise elusive. The emergence of regional conflicts, including escalations with Israel and proxy attacks on U.S. interests, has kept the U.S.–Iran relationship fraught and volatile.
The U.S.–Iran relationship since World War II is one of the most consequential and troubled in modern history. What began as a Cold War-era alliance was upended by revolution, religious ideology, and geopolitical rivalry. Despite moments of potential cooperation, the legacy of intervention, sanctions, and violence has created a deeply entrenched mistrust.
While the future remains uncertain, any path forward will likely require mutual recognition of past grievances and an unprecedented willingness to engage beyond cycles of hostility and retaliation.
Tags: #IranUSRelations #MiddleEastPolitics #NuclearDiplomacy #IranHistory #ForeignPolicy #ColdWarLegacy
Zelensky leaves White House early!
— UKRAINIAN SQUAD🇺🇦 (@ukrainiansquad) February 28, 2025
Goooooooooooooooooooooooood
The world stands with you Zelensky 🫶
pic.twitter.com/mfe600ZZGN
#StandWithZelensky fuck Putin and his assets in the White House. pic.twitter.com/nB09GjMEky
— CitiZenSane (@Citi_ZenSane) February 28, 2025
