Iran–United States Relations: Historical Dynamics, Strategic Rivalry, and Prospects for Diplomacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69760/aghel.026001018Keywords:
Iran, United States, Geopolitics, Middle East, nuclear diplomacy, sanctions, international relationsAbstract
The relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States constitutes one of the most persistent and consequential geopolitical rivalries in contemporary international politics. Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, diplomatic relations between the two countries have been defined by ideological confrontation, economic sanctions, strategic competition, and regional proxy conflicts. This article examines the historical evolution, ideological foundations, and geopolitical dynamics of Iran–United States relations through qualitative historical analysis informed by theoretical perspectives from structural realism, constructivism, and geopolitical studies. The study traces key turning points including the 1953 coup d’état, the Pahlavi-era strategic alliance, the Iranian Revolution, the hostage crisis, the Iran–Iraq War, post–Cold War missed opportunities, and nuclear diplomacy culminating in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The article further evaluates the role of economic sanctions, proxy conflicts, identity narratives, and domestic political constraints in sustaining bilateral hostility. The study argues that despite recurring diplomatic initiatives, structural mistrust rooted in competing security perceptions and adversarial identity constructions continues to reproduce the rivalry. The article concludes by examining possible diplomatic pathways and the conditions necessary for sustainable détente between Tehran and Washington.
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