The Political Economy Of IRAN /US Relations In The Middle East

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran marked a turning point in the relationship between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian Supreme Spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini denounces relationship with the United States and called on all other Muslims states to severe relation with the US. It is not in the best interest of the US to severe relations with Iran owing to the political economic relevance of the later in the Middle East. Iran is the most strategically located state on the Persian Gulf. It is at the same time the most populous state in the whole of Middle East and control vast natural resources of oil and gas, and has economic influence over oil and gas from the Caspian sea and neighboring Baltic states. All these give Iran an economic advantage in the Middle East which she manipulates against United States. The US, on the other hand, is using the Iranian nuclear programme as a means of pressurizing Iran through imposition of sanctions as a means of forcing Iran into negotiation.