1. Iran

2. Review of Iran • What have we covered already with Iran? • What type of government? • What do you know about Iran today?

3. Iran • Shiite Islam official religion • What language do they speak? • Persian/Farsi • 2nd largest supply of natural gas and oil

4. 1979-1981 • Hostage Situation • November 4 • Angry at the US for allowing the Shah into the US • 52 US diplomats • Held hostage for 444 days • April 7, 1980 US breaks diplomatic relations with Iran • Jan. 20, 1981 hostages released

5. 1981-2000 • Small conflicts • Iran-Contra 1986 • US selling weapons to Iran through Israel • Used to raise money to fight • Anti-Communist • Fund issue in Nicaragua

6. 2000’s • “Axis of Evil” • Iran, Iraq, North Korea • WMD’s and long range missiles • Nuclear Program • “A nuclear-armed Iran is not acceptable“ • Why?

7. 2003-Present • Nuclear Program • US says Iran violates the Nuclear NPT • Iran • Nuclear program for civilian use • Believe to have enough for 10 nuclear bombs

8. 2003-Present • Iran • Says they are ready to talk to the US • 2008 • Standoffs between Iranian speedboats and US warships • Unstable relations between the US and Iran

9. 2009 • Presidential elections • Landslide victory: MahmoudAhmadinejad • Fraud election • Protests • "We are excited to see what appears to be a robust debate taking place in Iran".- Obama

10. What cut off diplomatic ties with Iran? • What are the issues facing Iran-US today? • Have the US handled this correctly?