US–Iran: More Than Four Decades of Enmity

As the United States and Iran meet for high-stakes nuclear talks, the two nations remain locked in a conflict that spans more than four decades.

The enmity began with the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran, which severed diplomatic ties and triggered decades of sanctions.

Tensions escalated through the 2000s as Iran’s nuclear program was exposed, leading to the “axis of evil” designation and crippling economic pressure.

The landmark 2015 nuclear deal offered a brief diplomatic opening, but Trump’s withdrawal in 2018 plunged relations back into crisis.

Since then, the two countries have traded direct blows: a US drone strike killed top general Qasem Soleimani in 2020, and American forces bombed three Iranian nuclear sites during the 2025 Israel-Iran war.

Now, with Trump back in office and a US “armada” in the Gulf, talks resume under the shadow of military action.

Tehran insists negotiations be limited to the nuclear file, while Washington demands discussions on ballistic missiles and regional proxies—leaving the two foes as far apart as ever.