Context: The article provides a brief overview of the strained relationship between Iran and the United States, highlighting key events such as the hostage crisis, the “Axis of Evil” designation, the historic nuclear agreement, the killing of General Soleimani, and recent military strikes.
Fact Check: The information presented in the article is accurate, based on historical events and diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States.
Article: Iran and the United States, set to begin negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday after six weeks of war, have had conflicting relations since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the hostage crisis at the American embassy in Tehran.
If Vice President JD Vance, leading the American delegation, were to meet with Iranian officials, it would be the highest-level in-person meeting between the two countries in over half a century.
Hostage Crisis at the Embassy
On November 4, 1979, seven months after the Islamic Republic of Iran was declared, Islamist students stormed the embassy, demanding the extradition of the former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been overthrown after months of demonstrations and receiving medical treatment in the United States.
Fifty-two diplomats and employees were held hostage for 444 days.
In April 1980, nine months before their release, Washington severed diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.
“Iranian Hostility”
On April 30, 1995, Washington announced a total commercial and financial embargo against Iran, accusing President Bill Clinton of supporting terrorism. Sanctions were later imposed on companies investing in Iranian oil and gas sectors.
In 2002, President George W. Bush named Iran as part of an “Axis of Evil” supporting terrorism, along with Iraq and North Korea.
Historic Agreement
In 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad restarted uranium enrichment, claiming it was for civilian purposes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in 2011 that Iran had engaged in activities related to developing a “nuclear explosive device” as part of a structured program before 2003.
On July 14, 2015, Tehran and six major powers (China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany) reached an agreement in Vienna to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting international sanctions. The agreement was endorsed by the UN the same year.
Trump Denounces the Agreement
On May 8, 2018, during his first term, President Donald Trump announced the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the deal, followed by the reimposition of sanctions. A year later, Iran began to breach some commitments.
Subsequent international diplomatic efforts failing, UN sanctions were reinstated on September 28, 2025, and the agreement officially expired the following month.
General Soleimani Killed
On January 3, 2020, powerful Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. Trump claimed he was planning “imminent” attacks on American diplomats and military personnel. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at bases housing US troops in Iraq.
American Strikes
During a 12-day war triggered by an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran, the United States launched strikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites on June 21, 2025.
Trump claimed they were “decisive,” but the extent of the damage is unknown.
Middle East War
Following a large-scale protest movement in late December 2025, Trump threatened several times to strike Iran in response to the brutal repression.
In early February, the two countries resumed indirect talks through Omani mediation. Washington sought an agreement beyond Iran’s nuclear program to include ballistic capabilities, which Tehran rejected.
On February 28, Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched “major combat operations,” killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day and targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure in the following weeks.
Iran retaliated by striking Israel and Gulf countries, particularly oil and gas installations, and nearly completely blocking the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil and gas passes.
A ceasefire agreed between Washington and Tehran came into effect on April 8.
AFP
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