Story of U.S and Iran Relationship … “Four Days in August”
The U.S. and Iran have had a tense relationship for decades — but when did that begn? Over the next two weeks, we’re exploring the history. This week, we feature our very first episode about an event from August 1953 — when the CIA helped to overthrow Iran’s Prime Minister.
After listening to the NPR segment …. Please offer your thoughts on the following questions :
1.Why in August of 1953 was their a coup d’état (an overthrow) of the democratically elected government of Iran ? ….
- Who was the chief “outside” country that was involved in that coup ? ….
3.Why might OIL be considered a curse for Iran ? …. (Briefly explain the story … Be sure to identify the agency that was involved in this covert operation) - Fast-forward ahead to 1979, when the U.S. and Iran are engaged in an American hostage crisis in Iran … How are these two events linked ? (Be sure to describe the role of the U.S., the Shah, and the religious clerics in this event)
- When the hostage crisis is eventually resolved more than a year later, what happens to the future foreign relations between Iran and the United States ?
- Why does the knowledge of this historical event matter to the current relationship today ?