The first two years of Carter’s administration were the most demanding for the bilateral relationship between Iran and the United States, as Carter’s focus on human right was a growing concern for the Shah. In the pass, Iran was often heavily criticized by organizations such as Amnesty International for its human right records, especially for it harsh punishments for political prisoners. By 1977, the Iranian government had bridled as a result to the foreign interference in their internal affairs, setting the groundwork for revolution. In Tehran, US embassy officials feared the Shah was unpleased with the new prospect of the US- Iranian relations and urged the new president to seek out the Iranian ruler, to reassure their relationship was
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The Carter’s administration continued the works of it predecessor’s, Nixon-Ford-Kissinger, persuading Iran to agree on an oil price that was favorable for the western economies. The rise in price were a necessity for the Shah, as it funded Iran’s military spending and his ambition to make Iran an industrial state. However, since the 1973 oil crisis, the United States remained cautious that the increase of oil prices and pushed forward a prize freeze believing that West needed a stable price or it would cause difficulties for western economies. The United State closest ally, Saudi Arabia, voiced similar concerns and threaten to increase their oil production in retaliation to bring down the prices, weaken its ties with Iran. The Shah viewed the overproduction as a hostile act and advised that if Iran loses any large oil revenue, the stability and security of the Persian Gulf would be at risk, since Iran would have to reduce its military spending and limit its regional control. Iran held important strategic interest for the United States, for its geopolitical power and military strength to secure the oil supply for the West and Israel. The US could not risk the Shah’s threats to weaken Iran’s regional role and endangering his rile, as he provided valued information for between Iran …show more content…
In his visit, Carter praised the Shah’s achievement through his regime, calling the attention of the Iranian people. It soon came to note, that Carter was not the reformist hero that people believed to be, who would pressure the Shah into spreading reforms coupled with repression. Soon after Carter’s visit, the government controlled press published a heavily critical article of Ayatollah Khomeini in the Iranian newspaper, wrote some harsh allegation on his character and accused him of being a British puppet. In response to the article, many clerics and religious student held a massive protest in the City of Qom . The Shah’s felt sufficiently secure with the support of the carter’s administration and order its security force to open fire on the protestors. The demonstration of what occurred in Qom was cleared and by 1978, the opposition to the Shah had escalated and many riots followed, with Khomeini’s encouragement. On September 8th, 1978, the event known as Black Friday occurred, where the government forces killed 88 people and injured hundred, this pivotal movement marked the end of any hope for compromised and sealed the Shah’s fate for exile. The speed of events in 1978-79 stunned the United States foreign policymakers and quickly took to accusing Carter and his administration for the loss of Iran and failing to prevent the revolution from the
The Carter’s administration continued the works of it predecessor’s, Nixon-Ford-Kissinger, persuading Iran to agree on an oil price that was favorable for the western economies. The rise in price were a necessity for the Shah, as it funded Iran’s military spending and his ambition to make Iran an industrial state. However, since the 1973 oil crisis, the United States remained cautious that the increase of oil prices and pushed forward a prize freeze believing that West needed a stable price or it would cause difficulties for western economies. The United State closest ally, Saudi Arabia, voiced similar concerns and threaten to increase their oil production in retaliation to bring down the prices, weaken its ties with Iran. The Shah viewed the overproduction as a hostile act and advised that if Iran loses any large oil revenue, the stability and security of the Persian Gulf would be at risk, since Iran would have to reduce its military spending and limit its regional control. Iran held important strategic interest for the United States, for its geopolitical power and military strength to secure the oil supply for the West and Israel. The US could not risk the Shah’s threats to weaken Iran’s regional role and endangering his rile, as he provided valued information for between Iran …show more content…
In his visit, Carter praised the Shah’s achievement through his regime, calling the attention of the Iranian people. It soon came to note, that Carter was not the reformist hero that people believed to be, who would pressure the Shah into spreading reforms coupled with repression. Soon after Carter’s visit, the government controlled press published a heavily critical article of Ayatollah Khomeini in the Iranian newspaper, wrote some harsh allegation on his character and accused him of being a British puppet. In response to the article, many clerics and religious student held a massive protest in the City of Qom . The Shah’s felt sufficiently secure with the support of the carter’s administration and order its security force to open fire on the protestors. The demonstration of what occurred in Qom was cleared and by 1978, the opposition to the Shah had escalated and many riots followed, with Khomeini’s encouragement. On September 8th, 1978, the event known as Black Friday occurred, where the government forces killed 88 people and injured hundred, this pivotal movement marked the end of any hope for compromised and sealed the Shah’s fate for exile. The speed of events in 1978-79 stunned the United States foreign policymakers and quickly took to accusing Carter and his administration for the loss of Iran and failing to prevent the revolution from the