Changes

===Relations with the United States===

===Relations with the United States===

[[File:US Iran.gif|right]]

[[File:US Iran.gif|right|250|thumb|]]

On November 4, 1979, militant Iranian students occupied the American Embassy in Tehran with the support of Ayatollah Khomeini. Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days. On April 7, 1980, the United States broke diplomatic relations with Iran, and on April 24, 1981, the Swiss Government assumed representation of U.S. interests in Tehran. Iranian interests in the United States are represented by the Government of Pakistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran does not have its own embassy in Washington, though it does have a permanent mission to the United Nations in New York City.  

On November 4, 1979, militant Iranian students occupied the American Embassy in Tehran with the support of Ayatollah Khomeini. Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days. On April 7, 1980, the United States broke diplomatic relations with Iran, and on April 24, 1981, the Swiss Government assumed representation of U.S. interests in Tehran. Iranian interests in the United States are represented by the Government of Pakistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran does not have its own embassy in Washington, though it does have a permanent mission to the United Nations in New York City.  

There are serious obstacles to improved relations between the two countries. As a state sponsor of terrorism, Iran remains an impediment to international efforts to locate and prosecute terrorists. Recent attempts by Iran to form loose alliances with anti-U.S. governments in the Western Hemisphere, such as the Venezuelan Government, has further heightened concern about Iran's support for terrorism and nuclear ambitions. Operation Iraqi Freedom removed the Iranian Government's greatest security threat, but officially Iran remained neutral about U.S. policy, sometimes strongly condemning American policies and actions in Iraq. Iran has cultural ties to elements of the populations of both Iraq and Afghanistan. It has made some positive contributions to stability in both countries, but other actions have had the opposite effect. It remains to be seen whether Tehran will ultimately be a constructive force in the reconstruction of its two neighbors or not.  

There are serious obstacles to improved relations between the two countries. As a state sponsor of terrorism, Iran remains an impediment to international efforts to locate and prosecute terrorists. Recent attempts by Iran to form loose alliances with anti-U.S. governments in the Western Hemisphere, such as the Venezuelan Government, has further heightened concern about Iran's support for terrorism and nuclear ambitions. Operation Iraqi Freedom removed the Iranian Government's greatest security threat, but officially Iran remained neutral about U.S. policy, sometimes strongly condemning American policies and actions in Iraq. Iran has cultural ties to elements of the populations of both Iraq and Afghanistan. It has made some positive contributions to stability in both countries, but other actions have had the opposite effect. It remains to be seen whether Tehran will ultimately be a constructive force in the reconstruction of its two neighbors or not.  

[[File:Levinson.jpg|left|300px|thumb|On November 9, 2019, Iran reported that Robert Levinson was still alive.<ref>https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-makes-stunning-admission-regarding-fbi-agent-gone-missing-since-2007</ref> In 2009 FBI director [[Robert Mueller]] and Russian oligarch [[Oleg Deripaska]] colluded in an operation to win Levinson's release.]]

[[File:Levinson.jpg|left|250px|thumb|On November 9, 2019, Iran reported that Robert Levinson was still alive.<ref>https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-makes-stunning-admission-regarding-fbi-agent-gone-missing-since-2007</ref> In 2009 FBI director [[Robert Mueller]] and Russian oligarch [[Oleg Deripaska]] colluded in an operation to win Levinson's release.]]

The U.S. Government defines its areas of objectionable Iranian behavior as the following:  

The U.S. Government defines its areas of objectionable Iranian behavior as the following:  

*Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction;  

*Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction;