Donald Trump prepared to take action against Iran yesterday, in response to the country’s decision to shoot down a US drone. The US President said the military was “cocked and loaded”, but later decided to step back. The president declared his proposed response was “not proportionate”, and cancelled military intervention. He tweeted: “10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone”.
How did current tensions with Iran start?
Tensions between the US and Iran have been on and off since the mid-20th century, and the two countries once shared a close relationship.
A turning point came during the 1979 Iranian revolution when pro-US Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was deposed.
Current tensions stem from Donald Trump’s reaction to a 2015 nuclear pact.
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2015: Iran nuclear pact
– The Iran Nuclear pact – spearheaded by the US and other UN nations – saw the Iranian government agree to shift its nuclear policy.
Iran would stop making nuclear weapons in favour of commercial development.
In turn, the US and UN agreed to lift financial, trade, technology and energy sanctions against Iran.
The Republican party railed against the decision, as it took place without Congressional assent.
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2016: Donald Trump campaign and election
– Donald Trump was a critic of the Iran pact, stating he would repeal the agreement if he took power.
Mr Trump stayed true to his promise two years into his presidency and announced the US would withdraw on May 8, 2018.
On August 6, 2018, the President imposed fresh economic sanctions against Iran, followed by a second round targeting Iranian shipping, energy and financial industries in November.
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2019: Donald Trump sanctions and designations
– Mr Trump designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – established by Ayatollah Khomeini during the 1979 revolution – as a ‘terrorist organisation’ on April 8 this year.
The Pentagon argued this decision increased possible retaliation against American military and intelligence.
Mr Trump decided to end sanction waivers for countries importing oil from Iran on April 22, putting the Iranian government under further pressure.
A White House statement declared the move was intended to “bring Iran’s oil exports to zero, denying the regime its principal source of revenue.”
On May 8, Iran retaliated to sanctions by announcing it would step up production of enriched uranium and heavy water.
On May 13, oil tankers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Norway were attacked in the Persian Gulf, which the US blames on Iran.
The Trump administration responds on May 24 by announcing it would push through weapon sales to the Middle East.
Congress objected, but Mr Trump claimed Iran was a threat to national security.
Two more tankers were attacked on June 13, and the US once again blamed Iran, which denied involvement.
On June 17, Iran announced it would exceed limits of stockpiled uranium set by the 2015 arrangement on June 27.
Iranian officials said they shot down a US surveillance drone on June 19, claiming it had strayed into Iran airspace.
On June 20, Mr Trump announced and promptly cancelled strikes against Iran.