conflict history - Iran

Head of State: President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, June 2005-
Chief of State: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 1989- (appointed for life by Assembly of Experts)

With world's second-largest oil reserves, Iran served as western anchor in Middle East under Western-installed Shah regime from 1953 until 1979 Islamic revolution. The Shah had grown increasingly repressive in 1970s, relying on detention of political opponents, widespread torture, and martial law imposed in 1978. Various groups jockeyed for power after Shah’s departure, including communists, secular nationalists and Islamic socialists. Islamists loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini eventually consolidated power and Iran became Islamic republic 1 April 1979. Khomeini soon assumed title "Supreme Leader", criticising West and secular Arab dictators alike and promising benevolent political Islam. U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in 1979 and failed rescue mission secured mutual enmity and further weakened American public image in the Middle East.

Western-backed Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 to take advantage of Iran's weakness, change disputed border on Shatt al-Arab waterway, and claim regional dominance. The war reached standstill in 1988 with estimated 800,000 to 1 million deaths. Iran supported militant Muslim groups in Middle East through 1980s and 1990s, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. U.S. Iran-Contra scandal saw illegal U.S. arms sales to Iran in effort to free hostages in Beirut, with proceeds used to support Contras in Nicaragua.

Following Ayatollah Khomeini’s death in 1989 and his replacement with former president Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s relations with West improved somewhat – mainly with Europe – despite fatwa issued against writer Salman Rushdie. Iran remained neutral in 1990 Gulf War and 2001 Afghanistan war, being enemy of both Iraq and Taliban. Iran maintained this stance again in 2003 Iraq war. Nevertheless, suspected support of militant groups in Lebanon and Palestine earned Iran U.S. sanctions in 1995 and Bush Administration’s label of "axis of evil" in 2002.

Khatami’s 1997 election brought about greater cooperation with neighbouring Arab countries and increased political and economic ties with Europe. Iran continued its civilian nuclear program, despite growing international concerns about its professed peaceful intentions. Internal tension in Iran between reformist Khatami and conservative chief of state caused deadlock in decision-making and political polarisation. President Khatami’s mandate (77 per cent of 2001 vote) did not lead to promised reforms and public disenchantment grew. Disqualification of reformist candidates by Council of Guardians led to conservative victory in February 2004 parliamentary elections. From 1999 to 2003, Iranian authorities continued to suppress student protests as internal dissent among large youth population increased.

Economic dissatisfaction led to surprise election of President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad in June 2005, defeating centrist former President Hashemi Rafsanjani running on platform of economic populism, to become Iran’s first non-cleric president in twenty-four years. Ahmadi-Nejad’s harsh pronouncements against Israel and uncompromising tone have significantly strained relations between West and Iran. In November 2005, Iranian Ambassadors to UK, Germany, France, and UN’s Geneva and Vienna offices were relieved of their posts. Supreme Leader Khameni appointed Rafsanjani as Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Discernment council as a check on Ahmadi-Nejad’s power, but the result of this has been inconclusive.

Also uncertain is the state of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. In October 2003, IAEA passed resolution that acknowledged Iran’s right to acquire nuclear technology for civilian energy use. In return, Iran agreed to voluntarily suspend uranium enrichment and allow additional IAEA protocol inspections. But since August 2005, Iran has broken off nuclear negotiations with the West, removed IAEA seals at certain research plants, and restarted uranium enrichment in Natanz. IAEA Board of Governors officially reported Iran to UN Security Council in February 2006. So far Iran has refused Russia’s proposal to host enrichment sites for its nuclear program on Russian territory, and UN Security Council is to debate utility of economic sanctions.

Updated March 2006

International crisis group