Addiction to Power, Oil, and Iran

 It starts with love. . . Love of OIL . . .

"America is addicted to oil." - President Bush 2006

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, killed 2026, dancing in the streets of Iran. . . .

Nothing much changed, for these words are from the course notes from 2021 in a university class that I taught. 

Ethnic American Literature: ENG 4823 Jan 19- Mar 11, 2021

Taco Dunce King has been at war with Iran for over 60 days, breaking the laws of the Nacho Constitution.

The Coup of 1953: The Rise of a Dictator, the Shah of Iran

In 1953 through a coup that put an end to Prime Minister Mohammed Massadegh's rule, the US, via President Eisenhower, and British intelligence helped to place the Shah, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi (1919–1980), into power.

 Thus, he was put in power not by the will of the people but because of Western powers for Iranian oil. He changed Iran into a modern society with his White Revolution. 

He recognized Israel. He was corrupt and did not do much for the people. He became the major power in the Middle East.

The 1979 Iranian Revolution

The Ayatollah Khomeini (1902- 1989) and his religious fascism forced the Shah out of power through a popular uprising. With the Shah being displaced and US hostages being taken. 

American found its most powerful ally in the Middle East became its greatest enemy.

The Iran Hostage Crisis: 444 Days of US Humiliation

ABCs Nightline, a news program, began in 1979 with Ted Koppel because of the Iran Hostage Crisis which started on November 4, 1979 and lasted until January 20, 1981. Every week night, it was on television and started a countdown.

 Basically, the inability of America to do anything to help the hostages helped to insure that President Jimmy Carter (1924- ) was not re-elected. 

A failed rescue attempt showed how ineffective US military had become. The hostages were released right after Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) became president. Nightline is still on television.

Iran-Contra Affair: The Latin American Connection

Strange bed fellow. America gave weapons to Israel for money. Then Israel provided weapons to Iranians who promised to negotiate the release of the US hostages.

 Oliver North (1943- ) managed to have some of the funds pay for the Contras in Nicaragua. Drugs were reportedly sold to help fund the Contras.

 Reagan denied he knew the details of the plan. Oliver North has lived a good life and did well after leaving government selling books and giving speeches across the country.