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Home , Abolhassan Banisadr, Ebrahim Yazdi, Ezzatollah Sahabi, Hassan Ayat, Islamic Republican Party, Kazem Sami

Iranian Revolutionary Government 1979 Chair: Harrison Elliott JHUMUNC 2018

Iranian Revolutionary Government of 1979

Topic A: Issues on the Home Front

Topic B: A New on the World Stage

Committee Overview a dynamic topic of discussion and frequent crisis updates. Delegates will be called upon The year is 1979. Pahlavi has to respond to these updates in several ways: been overthrown and replaced by the through negotiation within the committee, and a theocratic republic. collaborative directives (voted on by the Your army is in disarray, confused as to either committee), and personal action in the form support the exiled Shah or support the new of a crisis note. All forms of response should Supreme Leader. Your economy is in shambles be used to engage issues raised by the and your neighbors are looking at your chaotic committee topics and the ongoing crisis country, wondering if they can support this announcements. Directives can be written in new form of theocratic government. three forms: committee, joint, and personal. It is up to you, the Revolutionary Another big difference between GA Council, the Revolutionary Guards, the and crisis committees is the use of directives. Revolutionary Tribunals, and the Islamic As said above, directives take three forms: Republican Party to re-establish order in your committee, joint, and personal. Committee country and decide how you will present directives are the most similar to resolutions yourselves to the world. These 21 delegates will in GA as they form the basis of the decide the future of the nascent Republic of committee’s overall action. There are two Iran. Your choices will have consequences that ways delegates can sign directives—either as span far beyond the country’s borders. a signatory or a sponsor. A signatory is usually a delegate that helps craft the resolution from the beginning while a Parliamentary Procedure sponsor is a delegate that supports the This committee will follow the general directive. Joint directives are less formal outlines of Parliamentary Procedure or directives that are signed by several members Robert’s Rules of Order. There will be a of the committee to accomplish other goals running Speaker’s List and the committee will within the committee (note: a joint directive generally facilitate discussion using moderated can be signed by the entire committee). The caucuses. However, since this is a crisis main difference between committee and joint committee, the chair and dais will allow for directives are a committee directives’ intent more unmoderated caucuses and moderately is to accomplish a key goal within the relaxed parliamentary procedure than in other committee, while joint directives are less committees to allow us to keep up with the formal. Personal directives (also known as faster pace of the committee. With that said, crisis notes) are a single delegate’s personal we do respectfully ask that while in moderated request for information or a direct action caucuses, delegates that are not speaking against another delegate. respect their other committee members by Delegates are encouraged to utilize remaining quiet and raising their placards if their portfolio powers in order to help solve there is an issue. crises, regain momentum of debate, and even The main difference between a GA or to create crises for the committee! An larger standing UN body and crisis committees innovative outlook and liberal use of crisis is that crisis committees present delegates with notes is encouraged, though delegates will

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find their endeavors most successful if they key figure in the on-the-ground success of receive support from other delegates. Please the revolution, organizing street protests, remember to be active both in and outside the openly criticizing the Shah, and helping committee room. establish the Islamic Republic of Iran to complete the overthrow Delegate Biographies of the Shah.6

Mohammad Beheshti (b. 1928) (b. 1939) Member of the Council of the Islamic Co-founder of the Islamic Republican Revolution/Co-founder and current Secretary- Party. Mr. Khamenei is a devoutly religious General of the . Mr. man, having studied under numerous imams Beheshti is considered by many to be the chief and throughout his life. Having architect of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He is been arrested numerous times and tortured a close friend of the Ayatollah and is a devoutly under the Shah’s regime, Mr. Khamenei is religious man.1 eager to see Iran succeed in a new, completely different direction than that of (b. 1936) the previous regime. He is a close aide and Member of the Council of the Islamic ally of Ayatollah Khomeini, who had Revolution/Managing Director of National entrusted him with numerous missions Iranian Radio and Television. Mr. Ghotbzadeh leading up to and during the revolution. Mr. is a close aide of the Ayatollah leading up to Khamenei is also seen as one of the chief and during the revolution. 2 He significantly architects of the Islamic Republican Party.7 reformed the National Iranian Radio and Television to fall in line with Islamic teachings. (b. 1934) Member of the Council of the Islamic Sadegh Tabatabaei (b. 1943) Revolution/Co-founder of the Islamic Deputy Prime Minister for Public Republican Party. Mr. Rafsanjani served as Relations and Administration. Mr. Tabatabaei the financial manager of the revolutionary is a long-time supporter and close aide to groups during the revolution. He is a close Ruhollah Khomenei, having accompanied him friend and trusted aide to the Ayatollah. during his exile to France3. Mr. Tabatabaei is Despite his friendship to the Ayatollah, Mr. directly responsible for organizing the Rafsanjani does hold moderate views, such referendum, which established the current as the privatization of state-owned Iranian Republic and has significant ties to the companies and allowing a free market to press, having served as a spokesman for the exist in Iran.8 Ayatollah.4 Mohammad-Javad Bahonar (b. 1933) Mir-Hossein Mousavi (b. 1942) Member of the Council of the Islamic Political Secretary of the Islamic Revolution/Co-founder of the Islamic Republican Party and Chief Editor of the Republican Party. Mr. Bahonar was a close Jomhouri-e Eslami (the Islamic Republican friend and influential member of the Party official newspaper).5 Mr. Mousavi was a Ayatollah’s inner circle during the revolution. He is a devoutly religious man, having been an influential speaker at several religious 1 The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Mohammad centers in .9 Hosayn Beheshti.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 May 2002, www.britannica.com/biography/Mohammad-Hosayn- 6 Ibid. Beheshti. 7 “Biography.” The Office of the Supreme Leader, 6 2 “Index Ge-Gj.” Rulers, Feb. 2010, www.leader.ir/en/biography. www.rulers.org/indexg2.html#ghotb. 8 “Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia 3 “Sadeq Tabatabaei.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadeq_Tabatabaei. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar_Hashemi_Rafsanjani. 4 Ibid. 9 The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Mohammad ,BBC Javad Bahonar.” Encyclopædia Britannica ”.زندگینامه نامزدها: مير حسين موسوی - ايران - فارسی BBC“ 5 News, BBC, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2009/05/090521_og_ir88_ www.britannica.com/biography/Mohammad-Javad- mosavi.shtml. Bahonar.

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Mehdi Bazargan (b. 1907) his most ardent supporters 14 . However, he Prime Minister. Mr. Bazargan is the has claimed that clerics should not be pro-democratic Prime Minister of the Interim running for positions in the government, Government. His views conflict with those of much to the chagrin of religious hard-liners. many on the Council of the Islamic Revolution, including the Ayatollah.10 Hashem Sabbaghian (b. 1937) Minister of the Interior 15 . Mr. (b. 1931) Sabbaghian has been appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Yazdi Ayatollah to help reorganize and reform the served as an advisor to the Ayatollah during his oil industry. Having been jailed four times exile.11 While his views are not necessarily at before the revolution, Mr. Sabbaghian is odds with the Council of the Islamic highly critical of the previous regime and is Revolution, he is a pro-democracy advocate eager to see this current regime succeed. and is somewhat critical of actions taken by the Council. (b. 1935) Minister of Health. Mr. Sami helped Ali Akbar Moinfar (b. 1928) organize and lead numerous protests during Minister of Petroleum 12 . Mr. Moinfar the revolution. While he supported the was a member of Shah Pahlavi’s government; revolution, he is not necessarily a supporter however, he severed ties and joined the of the Ayatollah’s policies. Revolutionary Council. He eventually became the spokesman for the council as well as being Ahmad Sayyed Javadi (b. 1917) appointed the first oil minister of the new Minister of Justice. Mr. Javadi was government. With this title, Mr. Moinfar is born into a devoutly religious family and is directly in control over the production and an ardent supporter of Ayatollah Khomeini exportation of oil, a significant source of and Mr. Khamenei. Mr. Javadi contributed to revenue for the republic. the drafting of the new Constitution and has served as both a member of the Council of (b. 1932) the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Minister of National Defense. Mr. legislative assembly16. Chamran received military training in Cuba under the Castro regime in the 1960s13. With Mohammad-Ali Rajaei (b. 1933) his military training, he has established Minister of Education. Mr. Rajaei was revolutionary guerilla forces all across the an ardent critic of the Shah’s regime, having . With his successes and close ties been arrested four times leading up to the to numerous leaders in the Middle East and outbreak of the revolution. He is tasked with beyond, the armies of the Republic listen to reforming Iranian schools and universities, him. He can be considered the de facto specifically purging them of Western commander of the armed forces for the influences17. Republic of Iran. (b. 1937) (b. 1933) Minister of Culture. While visiting the Minister of Finance. Mr. Banisadr has Ayatollah in exile, Mr. Habibi was tasked close family ties to the Ayatollah and is one of with drafting the original Constitution for the

14 Sreberny-Mohammadi, Annabelle; Ali Mohammadi (January 1987). "Post-Revolutionary Iranian Exiles: A 10 “.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Study in Impotence". Third World Quarterly. 9 (1): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehdi_Bazargan. 108–129. 11 “Ebrahim Yazdi.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 "Khomeini averts Iran crisis". The Morning Record en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebrahim_Yazdi. and Journal. Tehran. UPI. 21 June 1979. 12 Hossein Shahidi. Journalism in Iran: From Mission to 16 "'Head Off This Brakeless Train': Haj Seyyed Javadi's Profession. Routledge. p. 143. Letter to Khamenei". PBS. 29 January 2012. 13 Zabih, Sepehr (September 1982). "Aspects of Terrorism 17 Houchang E. Chehabi (1990). Iranian Politics and in Iran". Annals of the American Academy of Political and Religious Modernism: The Liberation Movement of Social Science. International Terrorism. Sage Iran Under the Shah and Khomeini. I.B.Tauris. p. 87. Publications ISBN 978-1-85043-198-5. Retrieved 27 August 2013.

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Islamic Republic. Immediately following the Topic A: Issues on the revolution, Mr. Habibi became the spokesman for the Council of the Islamic Revolution18. Home Front

Ezzatollah Sahabi (b. 1930) Introduction Member of the Council of the Islamic Iran is facing numerous economic Revolution/Head of the National Budget problems. At the start of the Revolution, the Center. Mr. Sahabi is a supporter of the Shah instituted hugely unpopular policies Ayatollah and his efforts, having helped lead aiming to liberalize the country and expand major protests leading up to and during the their economic power. Austerity measures revolution. aimed at slowing the decreasing GDP per capita level and the alarming rate of inflation (b. 1938) were installed; however, these measures Deputy Leader of the Islamic ended up primarily affecting poor migrant Republican Party. Mr. Ayat is a central leader workers in the cities.22 within the Islamic Republican Party and a Another unpopular policy the Shah supporter of the Ayatollah. He is currently launched was the establishment of the serving as the Islamic Republican Party’s Rastakhiz (“Resurgence”) Party. The Shah 19 deputy leader . banned all other political parties in an effort to consolidate his rule and dismantle Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardebili (b. 1926) profiteering merchants in the country. Member of the Council of the Islamic However, these actions led to the merchants Revolution/Co-founder of the Islamic openly criticizing the Shah and the Republican Party. Mr. Ardebili is a close friend cultivation of numerous black markets and supporter of the Ayatollah, having helped throughout the country. him found the Council of the Islamic In 1977, a popular Islamic theorist 20 Revolution and the Islamic Republican Party. was found dead. Many suspected the Shah’s secret police force, SAVAK, was behind the Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani (b. assassination (backed by the CIA). In 1931) addition, SAVAK was also blamed for the Member of the Council of the Islamic death of the Ayatollah’s son, Mostafa. As a Revolution. Mr. Kani is an extremely result, the Shah was seen as someone who conservative cleric who has been teaching would stop at nothing to consolidate his religious science in Tehran. He was active and power. very effective in helping the revolution succeed An important component of the and was appointed by the Ayatollah to many Iranian economy is its oil production. Iran political and religious positions. He is not a has massive oil fields in its southwest region member of the Islamic Republican Party (see Appendix I) which are a great source of because he believes clerics should remain non- wealth for the country. Additionally, Iran has partisan.21 several large natural gas fields and rich mineral deposits. However, current agreements with major oil companies have made the industry extremely inefficient, with the majority of revenue flowing to the political elite. It may be in the best interest of 18 Rubin, Barry (1980). Paved with Good Iran to examine how it could renegotiate Intentions(PDF). New York: Penguin Books. p. 284. 19 Asayesh,Hossein. Adlina Ab. Halim, Jayum A. Jawan these agreements. and Seyedeh Nosrat Shojaei (March 2011). "Political Party These issues are just a few small in Islamic Republic of Iran: A Review". Journal of Politics pieces of the larger puzzle that is Iran’s and Law. 4 (1). Retrieved 29 July 20 future. Many conservatives disagree with the 20 Asayesh, Hossein; Adlina Ab. Halim; Jayum A. Jawan; policies the Shah put forward. However, the Seyedeh Nosrat Shojaei (March 2011). "Political Party in Islamic Republic of Iran: A Review". Journal of Politics liberalization of many industries in Iran led and Law. 4 (1). Retrieved 29 July 2013 21 Shone, Alex. "Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi- 22 "Iran GDP per Capita 1960-2017." Iran GDP per Kani: profile of the new chairman of Iran's Assembly of Capita | 1960-2017. Trading Economics, n.d. Web. 13 Experts". Defence Viewpoints. Retrieved 16 August 2013. July 2017.

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to the unprecedented growth and newfound biggest beneficiaries of this capital were the wealth of the country. It is the responsibility of petroleum and construction industries. These this committee to find an appropriate balance industries expanded by almost 500% from of appealing to the conservative religious 1964 to 1978.27 As a result of this expansion, communities while also presenting Iran as a oil revenues became the main source of modern, economically stable country to the revenue for the Iranian government by 1977 world. (roughly 79% of all government revenue came from oil at this time).28 History/Background Current State of the Iranian Economy Information Overall, the state of the economy was Reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi (1925-1941) not the main impetus for the revolution. It was the alienation of influential During the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, constituencies which became the downfall of the overall infrastructure of Iran steadily the Shah, particularly the clergy, landlords improved, from reforming the educational and and merchants.29 The new Constitution of the legal systems to modernizing existing Islamic Republic of Iran outlined four major industries.2 The modernization of industries reforms: the nationalization of all industry, primarily occurred during the interwar period, the division of the economy into three and by 1941, over 800 new industrial plants different sectors (Private, State, and had been established. 23 Despite the overall Cooperative), the use of central planning and expansion of modern industry, integration of 5-year plans to control the economy, and the the industries remained absent. Another government having control over setting complication of these reforms was agriculture. prices and subsidies. A growing problem for At the time of modernization, agriculture Iran has been capital flight. Since just before accounted for over 90% of the labor force, but the revolution, over 30 billion USD has left saw almost none of the benefits modernization the country in the wake of growing civil provided. 24 Near the end of the interwar unrest against the government.30 In addition, period, traditional agriculture and industrial the clergy’s economic conservatism, labor exports were replaced by oil exports, with strikes and emigration of elites have Germany becoming Iran’s trading partner by paralyzed the once booming industrial 1940.25 sector.31 To make matters more complicated,

religious radicals have been actively trying to Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi undercut the authority of the provisional (1941-1979) government and complete the transfer of Revenue from oil production and power to the clergy.32 foreign aid led to greater investment and fast- paced economic growth. However, an Iranian Oil Production economic downturn in 1961 led to a series of Oil production is the primary source fiscal policy changes centered around of revenue for the Iranian government. industrialization often known as the Third Iranian oil production first began in the early Economic Development Plan. With new 1900s with the formation of the Anglo- investments from public and private sources in infrastructure and agriculture led to the 27 establishment of many large-scale agriculture Ibid. 28 Ibid. businesses. However, small-scale farmers did 29 Maloney, Suzanne. “The Revolutionary not benefit from these new investment Economy.” The Revolutionary Economy | The Iran opportunities. Under the fourth and fifth Primer, United States Institute of Peace, 2010, economic development plans (from 1968 to iranprimer.usip.org/resource/revolutionary-economy. 30 Hakimzadeh, Shirin. "Iran: A Vast Diaspora Abroad 1978), Iran’s economy began to open for and Millions of Refugees at 26 imports and greater foreign investment. The Home."Migrationpolicy.org. Migration Policy Institute, 02 Mar. 2017. Web. 15 July 2017. 31 Maloney, Suzanne. “The Revolutionary 23 Ibid. Economy.” The Revolutionary Economy | The Iran 24 Ibid. Primer, United States Institute of Peace, 2010, 25 Ibid. iranprimer.usip.org/resource/revolutionary-economy. 26 Ibid. 32 Ibid.

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Persian (later Anglo-Iranian) Oil Company policies put in place to govern this nation. (AIOC). This company would be the leading producer of oil in Iran for the next 50 years. In Questions to Consider 1933, an agreement between the British and the Iranians was signed detailing payment for 1. How can Iran continue to Iran’s oil. Britain would pay Iran 4 pounds for modernize and grow its economy every ton of oil exported, but Iran had no right while satisfying religious to control exports. conservatives? In 1950, a vote was held in the Majlis (the Iranian Senate) to nationalize the oil 2. How can Iran diversify its industry. A year later, the National Iranian Oil economy to mitigate the risk of a Company (NIOC) was formed. As a result, fall in oil prices? British oil technicians left the country and oil production virtually halted as Britain launched 3. How can Iran create new a worldwide embargo on the purchase of agreements with the oil companies Iranian oil. The AIOC made several offers to to generate more revenue for the renegotiate the previous agreement, but country? growing conviction among Iranian political leaders coupled with anti-British sentiment led 4. Is the current Iranian constitution the government to reject these offers, despite (post-revolution) conducive to the US pressuring the British to make better policies which will promote offers. Because agreements could not be economic growth? reached, the US launched an operation aimed at deposing the Prime Minister. The operation 5. Is it possible for either the ruling was successful and a new oil agreement clergy or the provisional between Iran and Britain was passed in 1954.33 government to legitimize Despite a pro-Western Prime Minister themselves and take control of a in Iran, these new agreements were inadequate spiraling country? in helping the economy recover from the disruptions caused by the nationalization of oil. These trends would continue up until the Revolution, where the five largest oil companies that had agreements with the NIOC accounted for only 10.4% of Iran’s total oil production. 34 Coupled with the disconnects with other industries, Iran’s overall industrial economy is extremely inefficient.

Conclusion Members of this committee must shape Iran’s future towards long term economic stability, while taking into consideration a balance with the religiously conservative communities. With the oil productions creating a great source of wealth for the nation, many of Iran’s political elite are exercising that power, while the poor immigrant workers are subject to the turns of the economy. Iran may also want to consider how the role of the current government affects the people and the current

33 Hooglund, Eric James, and Glenn Eldon Curtis. Iran: A Country Study. Washington: US Government Printing Office, 2008. Print. 34 Ibid.

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Appendix I: Map of

Mineral Deposits in Iran

Khaksar, Kaveh, Keyvan Khaksar, and Saeid Haghighi. Iranian Mineral Deposits. Digital image. Precambrian Stratigraphy of Central Iran and Its Metallogenic. Science and Education Publishing, 24 July 2014. Web. 15 July 2017.

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Appendix II: Map of Major

Iranian Oil Fields

Iran's Largest Oil Fields. Digital image. The Energy Consulting Group, n.d. Web. 15 July 2017.

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Appendix III: Map of Major Iranian Natural Gas Fields

Iran's Major Natural Gas Fields. Digital image. Iran Oil and Gas, Exploration and Production Industry. The Energy Consulting Group, n.d. Web. 15 July 2017.

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Topic B: A New Iran on the commanders of the armed forces to confine many of their units to their barracks.39 As a World Stage result, demonstrators were now free to openly protest how they pleased with little Introduction interference from the army. With the fall of the Shah, Iran’s foreign The situation became so desperate for policy has changed significantly. The army is in the Shah that he asked a longtime political complete disarray, confused about to who to opponent, Shahpour Bakhtiar, to form a new support. Other countries in the Middle East are government. Mr. Bakhtiar gave a list of confused about what has just taken place in conditions for acceptance: the Shah would Iran, and are either worried the instability will have to leave Iran, SAVAK would be spread to their countries or are looking to disbanded, police and military personnel increase their regional influence. Additionally, would be put on trial for firing on civilians, since the Shah helped many Western oil and foreign relations would be run by 40 companies generate huge profit and the civilians. In response to these demands, the revolution held distinctly anti-Western beliefs, military commander for Tehran resigned and the previously profitable relationships Iran had the Shah named a ‘regency council’ and with the West are now in jeopardy. This subsequently departed Iran. As a result, the committee has to work quickly in order to military leaders in Iran were confused about stabilize Iran and begin moving forward. who to support, and when Ayatollah Khomeini made his return to Tehran, the 41 Iranian Armed Forces Status military made no attempts to stop him. By 1978, Iranian forces were among the In short, Iran has a well-developed largest and most sophisticated in the world. In army with modern equipment and little total, Iran had around 413,000 men (285,000 direction in the wake of the revolution. Given soldiers, 100,000 airmen, and 28,000 the number of desertions and high-profile sailors).35 Additionally, Iran has large numbers scandals the army has faced, morale within of advanced aircraft and equipment, including the ranks and support from the public is at 200 F-4 Phantoms and 60 F-14 Tomcat and an all-time low. However, the armed forces over 1,800 tanks.36 are ready to prove to both the new One of the major reasons for the government and the rest of the world they collapse of the Shah’s regime is the failure of can follow orders and be an asset for Iran in the military to maintain order. At a mass the coming months and years. demonstration in 1978 to mourn the death of protesting seminary students, soldiers opened Iran in the Middle East fire on the demonstrators, killing six and Introduction wounding more than 100 others.37 A pattern of Iran has been a regional economic overreaction began to emerge within the force since the mid-1950s when oil revenues army’s ranks, fueling more demonstrations led to massive economic growth. However, which led to the Shah declaring a state of with the collapse of the government and the martial law on September 7, 1978. The next economy, Iran is at a turning point. day, the army shot hundreds of demonstrators Countries in the region are looking at the in Tehran in what became known as “Black crisis in Iran and wondering if they need to Friday.” Black Friday was the point at which brace for possible revolts or if they can work the revolution became more violent. In toward annexing valuable resources, which December, soldiers in Tehran’s Lavisan would severely cripple Iran’s economy. It is Barracks killed more than a dozen officers and in the government’s interest to work quickly wounded many others. 38 This first act of in establishing an identity in an effort to mutiny spawned many others and led to the better outline its goals for the region.

35 Eisenstadt, Michael. "Iran’s Islamic Revolution: Lessons for the Arab Spring of 2011?" Institute for National Strategic Studies, Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Aug. 2017. 36 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 37 Ibid. 40 Ibid. 38 Ibid. 41 Ibid.

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Historical and Current Relationships death. With the new Egyptian President with other Middle East Countries coming to address the Iranian Parliament about the historic relationship between the : two nations, the Iranian-Egyptian The Iran-Iraq relationship has been relationship quickly became cordial. After the consistently sour. Since the 1950s, Iran has 1973 Egyptian-Israeli War, Iran invested always seemed to strategically outmaneuver heavily into the repair and reactivation of the the Iraqis, simultaneously increasing Iran’s Suez Canal and helped facilitate the influence while decreasing Iraqi influence, withdrawal of from the Sinai particularly when it came to regional shipping Peninsula. Because of these events, Egyptian lanes. In 1968, Iran sailed two cargo ships President Sadat and the Shah had a very down the Shatt al-Arab flying an Iranian flag, a close relationship. As a result, Egypt was not violation of a treaty outlining fair usage of the a supporter of the Revolution and allowed waterway signed in 1937. However, seeing the the Shah to flee to Egypt. ships were under military escort and out of fear of escalation, Iraq chose to do nothing. 42 Israel: Additionally, the Iranians and the Iraqis have Despite the cultural and ideological supported opposition groups with the goal of differences of and Judaism, Israel and creating uncertainty within the other country. Iran under the Shah have had a mutually Iran directly supported a coup attempt in 1970 beneficial relationship. Iran was the second (which ultimately failed and led to the Muslim-majority country to recognize the dismissal of their ambassadors), whereas Iraq state of Israel as a sovereign nation. supported opposition groups in Oman to Additionally, Iran supplied Israel with a overthrow their Sultan (which led to an Iranian significant portion of its oil needs after the intervention and a failure to overthrow the Six-Day War, and the two states had 43 Sultan). collaborated on several confidential military The conflict came to a head in 1974 projects. However, with the overthrow of the when Iran and Iraq had several intense border Shah, the relationship between Israel and clashes, one of which ended with 41 Iranians Iran has soured significantly with the 44 and 23 Iraqis being killed. Afterwards, Iraq Ayatollah denouncing Israel and condemning appealed to the United Nations to try and win their relationship with the West. support to turn the tide. These talks led to the signing of the Algiers Protocol, which limited Saudi Arabia: each country’s claims along the Shatt al-Arab. For a brief time, Iran and Iraq were friendly Because of Iran’s historical with each other, with Iraq even expelling recognition of the state of Israel and the Ayatollah Khomeini from in 1978 when socio-political differences between the two he emerged as the chief opposition to the countries, the relationship between Iran and Shah. 45 Currently, Iran and Iraq have a Saudi Arabia was relatively strained. seemingly friendly relationship; however, However, during King Faisal’s reign over President has a streak of Saudi Arabia, he visited Iran in 1966 with the opportunism and is eager to replace Iran as a aim of relieving tensions between the two regional power in the Middle East. countries. Furthermore, when the United Kingdom vacated the Persian Gulf in the late Egypt: 1960s, Iran and Saudi Arabia took primary After the CIA-backed Egyptian responsibility for security in the region. Also Revolution in 1952, Iran’s relationship with during this time, the Shah sent numerous Egypt deteriorated quickly and remained so letters to King Faisal urging him to liberalize until 1970 with Egyptian President Nasser’s his country. After King Faisal died, King Khalid attempted to build bilateral relationships with smaller Persian Gulf 42 Milani, Moshen M. "IRAQ Vi. PAHLAVI PERIOD, countries with the hopes of curtailing the 1921-79." Encyclopedia Iranica. Encyclopedia Iranica, 15 influence of Iran. Immediately following the Dec. 2006. Web. 15 Aug. 2017. revolution, the Ayatollah began to question 43 Ibid. whether Saudi Arabia’s regime was 44 Ibid. 45 Ibid.

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religiously legitimate and called their character Immediately following the revolution, the into question. United Kingdom severed all diplomatic relations with Iran. Iran and Other World Powers Soviet Union: Introduction During World War II, the Soviet Iran has long been the focus of foreign Union launched an undeclared invasion of affairs from world powers given its economic Iran in order to secure Iran’s oil supplies for and military strength. But because of the the Allies. As a result of the invasion and current instability within Iran and its valuable subsequent occupation of Iran, the Iranian natural resources, the relationships between government and the Soviet Union are not on Iran and other world powers is quite good terms. After the war ended, the Soviets complicated. It is in the best interest of this tried to establish two puppet states in Iran, committee to either find a solution to work on the Azerbaijan People’s Government and the building new relationships with the countries Republic of Mahabad. However, because of below or pursue a different course of action. pressure from the United States, the Soviet Union disassociated from these provinces United States: and they collapsed within months. Officially, the relationship between Iran and the United States was quite positive under Conclusion the Shah’s regime. While the government of Iran has had a good relationship with the After the Shah’s government was United States, Iran’s people’s hatred of the overthrown, many of Iran’s relationships United States can be directly drawn to the 1953 with other nations have become coup which overthrew the popular Prime questionably. Increased Anti-Western Minister, Mohammad Mossadeq. In doing this, sentiment from the revolution has placed the Iranian people believed any future Iran’s partnerships with Western oil government was seen as supported by the companies at risk. The instability in the United States and its allies. To further aid the nation has led other nations to pull out Iranian-United States relationship, the United support in fear of these spread problem into States provided billions of dollars to aid Iran their countries. Additionally, the army has immediately following the 1953 coup. 46 begun to question where their loyalties lay, However, once the revolution began, the rendering it ineffective in providing Iran with United States did little to politically aid the military support. This committee must Shah or his regime. But once the United States address these issues to improve Iran’s learned the Shah was in failing health, they economy and stabilize the nation. permitted him to fly to New York to undergo medical treatment. Questions to Consider United Kingdom: 1. How can Iran restructure its In response to the nationalization of the military to be an effective fighting AIOC, Britain launched a worldwide embargo force and an instrument to carry of Iranian oil with the backing of some of the out the government’s will? world’s largest oil companies. With the embargo of Iranian oil, the UK-backed coup 2. How will the new regime in Iran against Prime Minister Mossadeq, and the deal with potential problems from withdrawal of British troops from the Persian its neighbors? Gulf, diplomatic relations between the United 3. How will Iran position itself to deal Kingdom and Iran were essentially over. with disputes between other regional countries? 46 Gasiorowski, Mark J., and Malcolm Byrne, 4. Can Iran craft trade deals that help eds. MOHAMMAD MOSADDEQ AND THE 1953 COUP IN IRAN. S.l.: SYRACUSE UP, 2004. Print. its struggling economy improve? 5. How will Iran deal with the powers

in the West that just saw a pro- Western government overthrown?

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