US-Iran Relations: Issues, Challenges and Implications on Foreign Policy

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 Introduction

The relationship between Iran and the United States has been configurationally

conflictual since the Islamic Revolution that transpired in 1979 (Filin et al., 2022). There have

been many positive preludes aiming to normalize the bilateral relationships between the two

nations. However, many issues such as occasional rapprochement attempts, hostility, and certain

diplomatic statements continually hamper these positives and increase the tension. The interests

of the two states are concurrent in many areas. However, the main factor that has brought the

relationship between the two states to the center stage in global diplomacy is the Iranian nuclear

deal, well known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which has greatly

impacted the stability of the Middle East and the US foreign policies (Bahgat, 2023).

Additional strains have been imposed on the bilateral relationship by events such as the

decision by the US to pull back from the JCPOA in 2018 and the subsequent efforts by the US to

reimpose sanctions on Iran (Fotourehchi, 2020). Iran’s responses of gradual scale back to its

nuclear deals have heightened the tension in the Persian Gulf and made the situation more

complex. Iran’s influence in the region specifically in the conflicts in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria has

given rise to contention with US interests and allies in the region. This essay seeks to analyze the

current state of the relationship that exists between the US and Iran, focusing on major issues

like the potential for future diplomatic engagements, dynamics in regional security, and nuclear

proliferation issues. This paper aims to provide further insight into the implications of the

relations on US foreign policies by examining the historical contexts, wider geopolitical

implications, and recent developments.

Historical Analysis
 An analysis of the various historical events that took place between the US and Iran

brings a better insight on the current US-Iran relationship. In 1953, the US’s Central Intelligence

Agency (The CIA), and the Secret Intelligence Service commonly referred to as the M16 plotted

a coup deter (Bahgat, 2023). The aim of the planned coup by the two groups was to dethrone

Mohammed Mossadegh, who was the then-Iranian Prime Minister. The plot to topple the prime

minister owed to the fact that he nationalized the Iranian oil industry, which didn’t align with

Western interests. Through the coup, the Iranian authoritarian monarch Mohammad Reza

Pahlavi (The Shah) was reinstated because of the close ties he had with the US and other

superior nations (Moshirzadeh & Nazifpour, 2020).

Under Sha’s rule, there was rapid Westernization and modernization as well as political

repression and widespread abuse of humanity. This made the Iranians discontented with Sha’s

rule and led to the Islamic Revolution which occurred in 1979 (Bahgat, 2023). The revolution

saw the Shah overthrown and resulted in the establishment of an Islamic. The relationship

between the US and Iran immediately took a turn after the Islamic Revolution. The diplomatic

relationships between the US and Iran tore off, and hostility took over. The relationship further

went down in 1979 when the US embassy which was based in the Iranian capital of Tehran was

stormed and several people taken hostage (Moshirzadeh & Nazifpour, 2020). These historical

occurrences left behind a legacy of animosity and mistrust between the US and Iran

The Iranian Nuclear Deal

On the 2nd of April, 2015, Iran, the US and five other superpower nations agreed to put

up a comprehensive nuclear deal by the end of June the same year (Alcaro, 2021). The

agreement was that by signing the deal, all the economic sanctions against Iran would be lifted.

In addition, Iran had to reduce its number of centrifuges, downsize its uranium enrichment
stockpiles, and participate in no enrichment at the Fordow nuclear facility for the next 15 years

(Alcaro, 2021). Iran was to accord the superpower nations in the agreement the authority to

inspect the Iranian nuclear facilities in a bid to ensure no nuclear operations were ongoing. At

that time, the JCPOA deal was viewed as a diplomatic achievement and was termed as a win-win

deal. It was not until 2018, under Donald Trump’s rule, that the US unilaterally pulled off from

the agreement. The US claimed that the agreement was not effective because Iran continually

supported the militant groups (Alcaro, 2021). After the US withdrew from the deal, Trump

ordered a reimposition of economic sanctions against Iran. The move to reimpose the sanctions

stirred various responses from different international communities. The US allies concurred with

the move while the foes condemned the move.

Middle East’s Regional Dynamics, Proxy Conflicts and Challenges

The regional dynamics and proxy conflicts in the Middle East have some significant

influence on US-Iran relations. The two nations are involved in the conflicts in the Middle East

and are in support of opposing factions. Syria is one of the contentious nations where the

opposing warring factions are supported by the two nations. Iran staunchly supports the Assad

regime and provides the Assad group with military support in their fight against rebel forces

(Coulter, 2023). The US on the other hand supports the rebel groups bid to remove Assad from

power. This opposing support in the Syrian civil war has caused the proxy conflict.

In 2014, The Houthi Rebel Group managed to bring down the Yemen government and

took over Yemen. This caused a severe political instability situation in Yemen, prompting the

Saudi government to intervene (Juneau, 2024). The Saudi government had to form a coalition

that was to help restore both the former regime and Yemen’s political stability. While the US

showed support to the Saudi-led coalition, Iran supported the militant group. The conflicts led to
serious humanitarian crises. In Iraq, the Iraqi government was constantly troubled by the Shia

militant group (Dodge, 2020). Here again, Iran and the US support the opposing conflicting

groups with the US supporting the Iraqi government. The differing interests have caused

occasional clashes between the US and the Iranian forces in Iraq. These issues have made it even

harder to find diplomatic solutions to the issues between Iran and the US.

Other than the aforementioned proxy challenges and regional dynamic issues, there are so

many issues that currently create more tension in the US-Iran relationship. The issues include

human rights concerns, nuclear proliferation issues as well as regional security dynamics

(Bahgat, 2023). Iran’s ambition to be among the top nations in the Middle East is one of the key

contributors to these challenges. Iran also supports various proxy and criminal groups. The US

allies find the fact that Iran is involved in the conflicts in Iraq, Yemen and Syria concerning. The

involvement makes them view Iran as a nation whose aim is to destabilize the region.

The tension extended further because the United States re-imposed the economic

sanctions against Iran. The Iranian economy has been on a downward track due to the sanctions,

making the Iranian currency depreciate against other major global currencies (Ghomi, 2022). The

inflation rate has also skyrocketed and certain essential commodities have suddenly become

scarce. In response to the sanctions, Iran decided to scale back from the specifications of the deal

and is in pursuit of means to enrich its uranium activities. This has raised more concerns as to

how long the agreement will last and whether there would be a likelihood of a nuclear arms race

in the region (Bahgat, 2023). The efforts to solve the broader regional conflicts have lately

become complex because of the complex web of proxy conflicts that exist between Iran and the

US.

Implications of US-Iran Relations on US Foreign Policies

US foreign policies in the Middle East region. The sanctions majorly aim to stop Iran’s

domination in the Middle East, address the concerns about Iran’s nuclear programs, and enhance

stability in the region (Morady, 2020). The imposition of the sanctions by the US on Iran shows

to other nations and the international community how willing the US is to go hard on issues that

relate to regional security and nuclear proliferation. The sanctions have affected the relationship

between the US and the other superpower nations which remain committed to the Iranian nuclear

deal. Other nations have still maintained their economic ties with Iran and haven’t re-imposed

sanctions (Morady, 2020). This fact has raised more questions than it has provided answers as to

whether the US foreign policies are effective and would help the US achieve its objectives.

The instability in the Middle East has increased due to the US sanctions because Iran

decided to respond to the sanctions by causing more tension in the Persian Gulf and by

supporting various proxy groups. The sanctions have considerably hit the Iranian economy and

wrenched the nation's international relations (Morady, 2020). Due to the sanctions, Iran has not

been able to engage in meaningful international trade. Iran’s trade has been greatly affected by

sanctions that have direct impacts on the Iranian banking sector and oil industry. Due to the

sanctions, Iran’s ability to access foreign currency reserves has greatly reduced. Most nations

had to comply with the US’s sanctions due to the fear of reprisal which may happen due to non-

compliance. With the sanctions, it is harder for Iran to engage in diplomatic activities.

Conclusion

This essay has analyzed the current state of the relationship that exists between the US

and Iran. The paper has provided further insight into the opportunities and the challenges that

face the US foreign policies and examined the historical contexts, wider geopolitical
implications, and recent developments. The relationship between Iran and the US has been

configurationally conflictual since the Islamic Revolution. Various different issues have

continued to cast shadows on the US-Iran relationship have continued to cast shadows on the

US-Iran relationship. The move by the US to withdraw from the JCPOA in 2018 and the

subsequent efforts by the US to reimpose sanctions on Iran have greatly affected Iran and the

Middle East at large. Iran’s responses of gradual scale back to its nuclear deals have heightened

the tension in the Persian Gulf and made the situation more complex. Other nations have still

maintained their economic ties with Iran and haven’t re-imposed sanctions on Iran while others

had to comply with the US’s sanctions due to the fear of reprisal which may happen due to non-

compliance.
 References

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