A lot of the problems in the Middle East are caused by outside powers always interfering in the affairs of those countries. Iran is a perfect example. First there were the British and their oil interests. At the end of the Second World War the Soviets occupied the eastern part of the country. The agreement that got the Soviets out of Iran stated the country had to be non-aligned and would not let any foreign military into the country. But in the 1950’s along came the cold war and the Americans. They wanted to set up intel gathering post along the Iran – USSR border to keep a eye on the Russian missile and space programs. The Iranian government said no, because if they said yes, they would be going against the agreement that got the Soviets out of their country in 1945.
The CIA went into Iran and with the help of the British; they overthrew the Iranian government and put a dictatorship in its place, which was beholding to the US. That government, imprisoned and/or killed, or forced into exile, all those who offered any type of opposition to it. At the height of Americas influence the US had 50,000 military and civilian advisers in Iran. The Americans were running the country from the back rooms.
The only opposition group that the Shah of Iran could not get rid of the Clergy. When the Shah was overthrown they came to power by default, because they were the only ones left standing.
I was in Iran in 1980 when the Americans were being held. All of my dealings were with middle class professionals (geologists, engineers etc.). They were not happy with who had come to power in Iran, but they were also very angry with the US for creating the conditions which allowed the clerics to float to the top.
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