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Iran

Iran. Historical Background – Current Day Concerns. Iran: Political & Ethnic Make-up. Iran = 93% Shia Muslims Caliph should be related to Muhammad/fundamental Gov’t = Democratic Theocracy President = elected

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Iran

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  1. Iran Historical Background – Current Day Concerns

  2. Iran: Political & Ethnic Make-up • Iran = 93% Shia Muslims • Caliph should be related to Muhammad/fundamental • Gov’t = Democratic Theocracy • President = elected • Clerics = religious leaders/ ayatollahs (fundamental) • Supreme Leader = head ayatollah who wields a lot of power in Iran • Iranians = Persians • Not Arabs!

  3. World War II • WWII • Reza Shah Pahlavi = King • Who will Iran ally w/? • Allies: GB./FR./US/SU/CH • Axis: GER./JAP./ITA Hmmm…Let me consult the map…

  4. Pahlavi’s Choice • Iran allies w/ Axis & Hitler … • Whoops…they lose • What now?

  5. To the Victors of War Go the Spoils… • Allies • Occupy Iran • Shah Replaced w/ son:Muhammad Reza Pahlavi • Why the son?

  6. Can you say control of oil? • M. Pahlavi = Puppet Gov’t • Young & dumb = easily manipulated = control of oil corridor

  7. New Prime Minister • Mossadeq: • Runs the Show/Brains • 1949: Iran nationalizes (Nation of Iran owns…) oil industry • Exxon • Mobile • Shell • BP

  8. It’s Fightin’ Time v. • Power struggle • M. Pahlavi v. Mossadeq • M. Pahlavi flees Iran in 1953

  9. He’s back! (w/ a little help from his friends…) • Mossadeq overthrown in coup • GB [MI-5] & US [CIA] set up an overthrow • M. Pahlavi returns to control Iran

  10. Pahlavi’s Big Mistake • Pahlavi thanks his western friends • Westernizes (Modernize) Iran • Moves away from traditional Iranian ways… • Rise in poverty… • Crowns himself king… • How are Shia Muslims going to react? • Hint: fundamentalists

  11. Iranian Revolution 1979 • Iranian Shia’s Revolt • Want traditional Islamic state • Blame USA for changes

  12. Enter the Ayatollah… • Ayatollah Khomeini: • Leads rebellion against Pahlavi • US ends Atoms for Peace • No more nuclear help • Should M. Pahlavi Stay or Go?

  13. Pahlavi makes a run for it! • M. Pahlavi: • Flees the Iran… • Takes Iranian money w/ him…

  14. Where in the world is M. Pahlavi? • Pahlavi is diagnosed w/ cancer  • Where can he go? • Who has a great healthcare & would let him in?

  15. US Welcomes M. Pahlavi! • President Jimmy Carter • Human Rights Advocate (Mr. Nice Guy) • Iran wants Pahlavi back • U.S. says no…

  16. Iran’s Reaction… • 1979-81 Iran Hostage Crisis • U.S. Embassy in Iran • 66 Americans hostage • Demand return of M. Pahlavi from U.S. • In exchange for American hostages • Hostages held for 444 days: • released when Reagan becomes Pres.

  17. 1980-88: Iran-Iraq War • Saddam sees chaos in Iran & attacks… • Prevent Shia revolution in Iraq & gain extra oil… • Khomeini wants control over Shia Muslims in Iraq so he fights back… • 8 yrs later…UN ceasefire

  18. Iran…Now What? • Iran wants nuclear power = US alarmed • 1995: U.S. puts sanctions on Iran • Citing acts of terrorism • Trying to get nuke • Hostility to Israel • 2001: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks • US feels national security is at risk • 2002: Axis of Evil Speech • US identifies Iran as a threat

  19. Iran’s Nuclear Program • Iran actively seeks nuclear power • 2002: Iran begins to build nuclear plant • 2003: (IAEA) = no evidence of weapons program • Iran: research = peaceful nuclear power • 2005: IAEA finds Iran in violation of NPT • Enrichment of uranium (3-5% needed for power… at 20+%) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

  20. Why is the US & World Concerned?

  21. 2005 Iranian Elections • President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • 1st non-cleric president in 24 years • Very Conservative • Supports Hezbollah • Holocaust denier • Anti-Israel…Anti-US • Pro-Iranian Nuclear Program • Re-election in 2009 was questionable w/ violent crackdown on protestors

  22. Current Challenges • Iran’s Nuclear Program • UN & US Sanctions on Oil • Hurts Iran’s economy • Why aren’t sanctions working? • Economy ($$$) v. national safety & pride • N. Korea + nukes = more respect?

  23. A New Chapter? • 2013 Elections President Hassan Rouhani • Moderate Religious Cleric • Wants improve relationship w/ US • Goal: erase sanctions • Willing to negotiate on nuclear program • US…hopeful but still wary • Israel … VERY UPSET & VERY SKEPTICAL

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