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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.  The [[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.  The [[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.

Carter granted the Shah admission to recieve U.S. medical treatment, 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.

In 1980, the Sunni Iraq leader Saddam Hussein sought to conquer Iran.  Iraq and Iran fought a fierce battle for nearly a decade without a victory by either side.

In 1980, the Sunni Iraq leader Saddam Hussein sought to conquer Iran.  Iraq and Iran fought a fierce battle for nearly a decade without a victory by either side.