Iran II: types and Levels of Competition
3/14/12
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1980-1988: Iran-Iraq War becomes the focal point of US-Iranian competition. Iraq is removed form list of states sponsoring terrorism (1982) and the US begins arming Iraq against Iran, including “dual-use” technology,i and industrial goods for missile, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs and weapons.iiiii A National Security Directive states that the U.S would do "whatever was necessary and legal" to prevent Iraq from losing its war with Iran.
1985-1986: Iran Contra – Iranian influence helped release US hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon in exchange for US weapons via Israel, channeling funds to anti-Communist Contra guerillas in Nicaragua.
1987-1988: Tanker War – the US sank an Iranian frigate and fired on two oil platforms after an Iranian mine attack on the USS Samuel B. Roberts. In July, the US mistakenly shot down an Iranian commercial jet, killing 290 civilians.
1992-1993: Iran criticizes US regional interference in the wake of the Gulf War and the Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
1995: President Clinton imposes economic sanctions prohibited US companies from doing business with Iran due to its sponsorship of terrorism, seeking to acquire nuclear arms, and hostility to the Middle East process.
1996: Iran-Libya Sanctions – imposed embargo on foreign companies investing more than $20 billion per year in Iran’s oil and gas sector.
1998: Iran’s president, Mohammed Khatami called for dialogue with the US.
1999: June – A US overture to Iran failed due to the US beliefs that the IRCG was linked to the Khobar Towers (1996) and due to officials overestimated the Iranian president’s power. Khatami’s reaction was reportedly positive, however Khamenei and others objected to both the nature and tone of the US gesture. Like the American message, Tehran’s response included reassuring statements and opportunity for future diplomacy.iv
2000: February - Iranian reformists win landslide victory in general election. Shortly afterwards, President Clinton extends ban on US oil contracts with Iran, accusing it of continuing to support international terrorism.
2000: Madeline Albright meets Iran’s Foreign Minister at the UN in New York - the first such talks since 1979. Secretary Albright apologized for US role in the 1953 coup, saying it was “clearly a setback for Iran’s political development.” The speech ended on a critical note and Iran responded by denouncing the gesture.
2001: Ayatollah Khamenei condemns the 9/11 attacks and both countries were in attendance in Germany to form a post-Taliban government and constitution. The US Special envoy to Afghanistan, stated, “none was more (helpful) than the Iranians,’ and that it was the Iranians who urged language require the Afghan government to commit to democracy and the war on terrorism.
2002: “Axis of Evil”
2002: August - The MEK reveals two previously unknown nuclear Iranian nuclear sites –the US publishes satellite images two months later of the sites under construction.
2002: September - Russia begins construction of Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr despite US objections.
2002: December - The US increases media operations in Iran. President Bush speaks on Radio Fardaand and pledges support for Iranians’ “quest for freedom, prosperity, honest and effective government, judicial due process, and the rule of law.”
2003: May - “Grand Bargain”: Iran offers the US comprehensive bilateral talks on nearly all aspects of cooperation and competition. The overture was dismissed by the US. Many in the US question the origin, intent, and sincerity of the letter.