how did the 1979 Iranian revolution affect relations between Iran and the United States?
The 1979 Iranian revolution marked a turning point in the relationship between Iran and the United States. Prior to the revolution, Iran was a strong ally of the US, but the revolution brought about a dramatic shift in Iran's foreign policy.
Following the revolution, Iran became an Islamic Republic, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini, who held anti-American sentiments and viewed the US as a symbol of Western imperialism. This led to the Iranian hostage crisis in which militants at the US embassy in Tehran held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, severely straining relations between the two countries.
The US responded by imposing economic sanctions on Iran and cutting off diplomatic ties. In addition, the US provided support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, further worsening relations with Iran.
Overall, the 1979 Iranian revolution marked a significant deterioration in relations between Iran and the United States, leading to decades of hostility and tension between the two countries.