Changes

In 1956, Nasser seized the Suez Canal from the French and British companies that controlled it.  His plan was to nationalize the canal to raise money to build the Aswan Dam, and needed cash after the Americans and British withdrew a pledge to help fund it.  But Nasser’s seizure of the Suez Canal created the “Suez Crisis” for a week because many nations, including Israel, relied on the Canal for shipping.  The British and French provided air support for an invasion by Israeli troops, which easily overcame Egyptian resistance.  But then the Soviet Union threatened to intervene on behalf of Egypt, creating a risk of a world war.  Nasser was then allowed to keep the canal, and international pressure by the United States caused Britain, France and Israel to back off.

In 1956, Nasser seized the Suez Canal from the French and British companies that controlled it.  His plan was to nationalize the canal to raise money to build the Aswan Dam, and needed cash after the Americans and British withdrew a pledge to help fund it.  But Nasser’s seizure of the Suez Canal created the “Suez Crisis” for a week because many nations, including Israel, relied on the Canal for shipping.  The British and French provided air support for an invasion by Israeli troops, which easily overcame Egyptian resistance.  But then the Soviet Union threatened to intervene on behalf of Egypt, creating a risk of a world war.  Nasser was then allowed to keep the canal, and international pressure by the United States caused Britain, France and Israel to back off.

In Iran, the United States supported the pro-West Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (“Shah of Iran”) against a revolt in 1953.  For 25 years the Shiite Muslim leaders in Iran, also known as “ayatollahs”, opposed the Shah.  In 1978, the Shiites revolted and caused the Shah to flee, and in 1979 he sought admission to the United States for medical treatment.  Then Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini took control of Iran.

In Iran, the United States supported the pro-West Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (“Shah of Iran”) against a revolt in 1953.  For 25 years the Shiite Muslim leaders in Iran, also known as “ayatollahs”, opposed the Shah.  In 1978, the Shiites revolted and caused the Shah to flee, and in 1979 he sought admission to the United States for medical treatment.  Then [[Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini]] took control of Iran.

Henry Kissinger, whose friends and business clients probably included supporters of the Shah, persuaded President Jimmy Carter to admit the Shah to the United States to treat his illness.  Carter granted the Shah admission, and student Shiites in Iran angrily responded by taking 69 hostages at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.  They demanded that the Shah be returned to Iran, but Carter refused.  The Shiites held 55 of the hostages until Carter was replaced by Ronald Reagan as president on Jan. 20, 1981.

Henry Kissinger, whose friends and business clients probably included supporters of the Shah, persuaded President Jimmy Carter to admit the Shah to the United States to treat his illness.  Carter granted the Shah admission, and student Shiites in Iran angrily responded by taking 69 hostages at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.  They demanded that the Shah be returned to Iran, but Carter refused.  The Shiites held 55 of the hostages until Carter was replaced by Ronald Reagan as president on Jan. 20, 1981.