Lawfare Daily: Beyond the Headlines: A History of U.S.-Iran Relations

This episode of the Lawfare Podcast explores the complex and often misunderstood history of U.S.-Iran relations, challenging the common narrative that begins with the 1979 hostage crisis or the 1953 CIA-backed coup. Historian John Gazvinian, author of *America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present*, argues that for most of the past 300 years, the two nations shared a deep mutual fascination and admiration, with the current enmity being the historical anomaly. He traces this relationship back to colonial American newspapers in the 1720s, which were obsessed with Persia due to its perceived role as a counterweight to the Ottoman Empire. Iranians, in turn, viewed the U.S. as a non-imperialist, anti-colonial model during the 19th century, especially after the arrival of Presbyterian missionaries and the work of American financial advisor Morgan Schuster. The relationship began to sour after World War II, when the U.S. supported the Shah’s autocratic rule, culminating in the 1953 coup that overthrew democratically elected Prime Minister Mossadegh. This act, Gazvinian argues, poisoned U.S.-Iran relations for decades, fueling resentment that helped pave the way for the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The episode concludes with a sober reflection on the present moment, where Gazvinian suggests that the U.S. may be on the brink of a military escalation that could lead to regime change, but warns that such a path is fraught with danger and unintended consequences. Despite the current hostility, he remains hopeful that the deep historical roots of mutual respect could one day form the basis for a new, more constructive relationship. Key takeaways include: (1) The U.S.-Iran relationship has been largely positive and mutually admiring for over 300 years, with the current conflict being the exception rather than the rule; (2) The 1953 coup was a pivotal moment that shattered trust and created a lasting perception of the U.S. as an imperialist power in Iran; (3) The Islamic Revolution was not inherently anti-American, but rather a reaction to decades of authoritarian rule and foreign interference; (4) The U.S. should consider a strategic exit from the current escalation, even if imperfect, to avoid a prolonged and destabilizing war; (5) The future of U.S.-Iran relations depends not on ideology but on recognizing shared interests and historical patterns of cooperation.