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Iran

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HISTORY: The Persian Empire

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Persian Empire

The Persian Empire is the name given to a series of dynasties centered in modern-day Iran that spanned several centuries—from the sixth century B.C. to the 20th century A.D. The first Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great around 550 B.C., became one of the largest empires in history

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President Reagan At Press ConferenceUnited States President Ronald Reagan announces the resignation of national security adviser Robert McFarlane standing beside him to be replaced with Vice Admiral John Poindexter. McFarlane and Poindexter were key figures in the Iran-Contra affair during Reagan's term.

Iran-Contra Affair

Reagan Doctrine The Iran-Contra Affair, also known as “The Iran-Contra Scandal” and “Irangate,” may not have happened were it not for the political climate in the early 1980s. President Ronald Reagan, who won the White House in 1980, wasn’t able to maintain the political momentum for his Republican colleagues, and the GOP was swept from […]

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Tanks on the road to Basra on January 1, 1985.

Iran-Iraq War

In September 1980, Iraqi forces launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Iran, beginning the Iran-Iraq War. Fueled by territorial, religious and political disputes between the two nations, the conflict ended in an effective stalemate and a cease-fire nearly eight years later, after more than half a million soldiers and civilians had been killed. Background to […]

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Stories


President Eisenhower receiving the commemorative stamp made in honor of his program, "Atoms for Peace." (Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

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How America Jump-Started Iran’s Nuclear Program

Thanks to a Cold War strategy called ‘Atoms for Peace,’ President Eisenhower laid the foundations for the Iranian nuclear weapons program.

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The Tense History of U.S.-Iran Sanctions

U.S.-Iran Tensions: From Political Coup to Hostage Crisis to Drone Strikes

A look back at America’s long-simmering conflict with Iran.

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A staff removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group picture with foreign ministers and representatives of Unites States, Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear talks at Austria International Centre in Vienna, Austria on July 14, 2015. Major powers clinched a historic deal aimed at ensuring Iran does not obtain the nuclear bomb, opening up Tehran's stricken economy and potentially ending decades of bad blood with the West. AFP PHOTO / POOL / CARLOS BARRIA / AFP / POOL / CARLOS BARRIA

Are there countries the U.S. doesn’t have diplomatic relations with?

The history of American diplomacy stretches back to Ben Franklin, the country’s first diplomat, who helped the 13 colonies form official ties with France in 1778, during the Revolutionary War. Other nations that were among the earliest to make a formal diplomatic alliance with America include the Netherlands (1782), Spain (1783), Britain (1785) and Russia […]

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This Day in History


1979

Shah flees Iran

Middle Eastern History
1988

U.S. warship downs Iranian passenger jet

1980s
1980

Iran-Iraq War begins

Middle Eastern History
1979

Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran

Middle Eastern History
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