Relations between Iran and the United States began in the mid-19th century, when Iran was known to the Western world as Qajar Persia. While Persia was the object of British and Russian colonial interests during the Great Game, the US gained the trust of its leaders, with Arthur Millspaugh and Morgan Shuster appointed treasurers-general by the Shahs. During World War II, Iran was invaded by the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, both U.S. allies. Relations remained positive until the Mohammad Mosaddegh government was overthrown by the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, organized by the Central Intelligence Agency, and assisted by MI6. This was followed by an alliance between Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's regime and the US government. From being close allies during the Cold War, Iran-US relations flipped after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power.
- Country
- Iran, United States
