-1953 CIA-backed coup
The CIA helps to orchestrate the overthrow of Iran’s popular Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, restoring Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi to power.
-1968 IRAN SIGNS NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
Iran signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which permits it to have a civil nuclear program in return for a commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons.
-1979 IRAN'S ISLAMIC REVOLUTION
Iran’s Islamic Revolution forces the U.S.-backed Shah Pahlavi to flee. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns from exile and becomes supreme religious guide. Fundamentalist students seize the U.S. embassy in Tehran and hold staff hostage.
- Arp, 1980 U.S. cuts ties
The United States cuts diplomatic ties with Iran, seizes Iranian assets and bans most trade with it. A hostage rescue mission ordered by President Jimmy Carter fails.
-Jan, 1981 HOSTAGES RELEASED
Iran releases 52 U.S. hostages minutes after Carter leaves office and Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as U.S. president.
-Jan, 1984 U.S. LISTS IRAN AS A TERRORIST STATE
U.S. lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.
-Nov, 1986 REAGAN BREAKS ARMS EMBARGO
Reagan reveals a secret arms deal with Tehran in violation of a U.S. arms embargo. It is known as the Iran-Contra Affair.
-Jul, 1988 U.S. SHOOTS DOWN IRANIAN AIRLINER
The U.S. warship Vincennes mistakenly shoots down an Iranian passenger plane over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard. More than 10,000 Iranians joined in carrying 72 coffins in Tehran during the funeral service for those who died.
-Jan, 2002 BUSH LABELS IRAN 'AXIS OF EVIL'
President George W. Bush declares Iran, Iraq and North Korea an “axis of evil.” U.S. officials accuse Tehran of operating a secret nuclear weapons program.
-2006 WASHINGTON INVITES TALKS
Washington says it is willing to join multilateral nuclear talks with Iran if it verifiably suspends nuclear enrichment.
- July, 2008 BUSH SENDS ENVOY
Bush for the first time sends an official to directly take part in nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva.
-2009 IRAN SECRETLY ENRICHES URANIUM
Britain, France and the United States announce that Iran is building a secret uranium-enrichment site at Fordow.
-2009 OBAMA EXTENDS A HAND
President Barack Obama tells Iran’s leaders he would extend a hand if they would “unclench their fist.”
-June, 2013 U.S. TIGHTENS SANCTIONS
In 2013, the Obama adminstration moves to sanction foreign banks if they fail to cut Iranian oil imports. Iranian oil sales drop, sparking an economic downturn.
- May/Jun, 2019 OIL TANKERS ATTACKED
Oil tankers are attacked in the Gulf. The United States blames Iran, a charge Tehran denies.
- May, 2018 TRUMP WITHDRAWS FROM NUCLEAR DEAL
-June, 2013 ROUHANI ELECTED PRESIDENT
Hassan Rouhani is elected Iran’s president on a platform of improving Iran’s relations with the world and its economy. U.S. and Iranian officials continue secret talks on the nuclear issue.
-July, 2015 NUCLEAR DEAL SIGNED, SANCTIONS EASED
Iran and six major powers agree to the Joint Plan of Action nuclear deal. Iran agrees to curb its nuclear work in return for limited sanctions relief.
-May, 2018 Trump withdraws from nuclear deal
U.S. President Donald Trump withdraws from the nuclear deal and reimposes crippling economic sanctions on Iran.
-May, 2019 IRAN MOVES TO ENRICH URANIUM
Iran says it will increase enriched uranium production, bucking its commitments under the nuclear accord.
- May/Jun, 2019 OIL TANKERS ATTACKED
Oil tankers are attacked in the Gulf. The United States blames Iran, a charge Tehran denies.
- Jun, 2019 U.S. DRONE SHOT DOWN
Iran shoots down a U.S. drone it says was in Iranian airspace. It seizes a British oil tanker in July.
- Sep,2019 SAUDI OILFIELDS ATTACKED
Saudi Arabia’s state-run oil company is attacked by drones and missiles believed to be from Iran. Tehran denies involvement.
-Dec, 2019 BASES ATTACKED, U.S. RETALIATES
Attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq kill a U.S. citizen. The U.S. blames an Iranian-backed militia inside Iraq, and fires on its bases in retaliation. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad is attacked by pro-Iranian protestors.
-Jan, 2020 SOLEIMANI KILLED
A U.S. air strike in Baghdad kills Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. Iran announced it would abandon limitations on enriching uranium.
Reference: Reuters
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