“Once an enemy will always be an enemy” is just another demonic vow with a clout on diplomatic relationship. The example of Iran and US gives a vivid picture as it has always witnessed diplomatic tensions until the Iran Nuclear Deal of 2015. The US under the leadership of Barrack Obama, consented to a Joint Comprehensive Action Plan with China, Russia, Germany, United Kingdom and France to obliterate all trade embargoes and lift travel Sanctions against Iran. It was made imperative for Iran to stop enriching its nuclear powers. The historic deal followed the first ever round of negotiations in 2003; focused towards greater peace and economic integration since the Iranian Revolution. However, very recently, Trump’s walking off from the deal has brought a series of international transgressions. Maybe what Ayatollah Khomeini presentiments while calling the US as “The Great Satan” in 1978 are correct, even after 40 years down the line.
The US-Iran relations have undergone a cycle of ups and downs in the late twentieth century especially after World War 2. Earlier, the relations between the economies remained stranded from the US side until World War 2. But the fluctuations were an outcome of the Iranian Elections in 1952 as Mohammed Mossadegh took the reins of power. He was tensed because the wealth was being drained out of Iran. Thus by emulating communist policy reforms, he nationalised the Iranian Oil production. The western nations saw Iran inching towards the Soviet Union during the era of the cold war. They were considered a threat to western interests and were pilloried for their actions so much so that the CIA engineered a military coup popularly known as “Operation Ajax”. They sabotaged Iranian operations and ousted Mossadegh, bringing Mohammed Reza Pahlavi to power and as Shah of Iran. His obsequiousness towards the west actually spurred modern economic development in the economy through the White Revolution which even liberated women’s right to vote. This was the time when the burnt economic relations were dragged on the road to recovery.
The bounce was a temporary one because the cost of economic development outweighed the prosperity. Corruption soared as the economic gap widened. Moreover, gruesome violence on the part of US-trained police personnel known as ‘SAVAK’ increased tremendously. They castigated Islamic fundamentalists and sabotaged Islamic ideals. Over time, the devastation aggravated the plight of residents as SAVAK expanded its operations. In 1977, SAVAK doubled its full-time agents to more than 5300. Therefore, seeing this devastation, the libertines through their exhortations incited Iranians to act against the Shah. The outcome was the Iranian Revolution which resulted in the relegation of the Shah and brought Ayatollah Khomeini in power. Not only did he proclaim Iran as the Islamic Republic of Iran but also damned the US for its actions and calling it “The Great Satan”.
The relations were worsening especially after a major political downturn during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Around 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days by Iranian students or revolutionists who demanded the Shah back for trial in Iran who had fled to the US. The relations were growing darker especially after Saddam Hussein’s invading Iran was fueled by the US.
Ever since then the relations have worsened until 2013 when numerous rounds of negotiations held by the UN resulted in the formation of Nuclear Agreement, 2015. The odds for the US as a peacekeeper were fostered by Obama. However, the recent plunge in diplomatic streak has been disheveled due to Trump stepping out of the agreement. Was it a fair deal on the part of a prosperous economy like the US? Did Trump not find it obligatory at least to maintain global peace?
Trump’s actions have justified anywhere he would not agree to trade-off his chauvinistic motives for world peace. He is definitely responsible for downgrading image of the US in the minds of billions. “The Great Satan” has probably resurfaced.
-Truth
Destiny with Truth 