Group Prompt
• In groups of 2 or 3, make a list of nations in the world that have
developed nuclear weapons.
• Put your list on the white boards.
• Hint: There are 9 and the United States is one of them.
Unit 2: The Arab World
Iran
Background: Iran
• For much of its history, Iran was
known as Persia.
• Today, Shiites make up Iran’s religious
majority.
• Most Iranians are Persian, not Arab.
• Most Iranians speak Farsi, not Arabic.
Iran’s Wealth
• 1900s: As petroleum became increasingly important to the world
economy, Iran’s wealth grew.
The Shah: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
• 1900s: As petroleum became increasingly
important to the world economy, Iran’s wealth
grew.
• The Shah (king) ruled Iran for decades.
• Had an alliance w/USA
• Economic partner of USA
• Secular leader (non-religious)
• Recognized Israel’s right to exist
• Associated by many Muslims w/materialism
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Shah of Iran
(1941-1979)
The Shah and America
Islamic Reaction to Wealth
• Materialism angered many Muslims in
Iran.
• Wanted a return to traditional Shi’a Islamic
ways.
• Shiite clerics were especially unhappy with
secular government of the Shah.
• Protests occurred throughout 1970s.
Islamic Revolution of 1979
• The Shah was ousted from power.
• Clerics took control of Iran
• Imams (religious leaders ) still hold true power today
Islamic Republic of Iran:
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
• Led Islamic Revolution of 1979
• Cleric (Religious Leader) - Fundamentalist
• Anti-American
• Anti-Israeli
• Anti-Materialist
• Returned Iran to traditional Islamic culture
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
Supreme Leader of Iran
(1979-1989)
Iran Hostage Crisis
• Following the Iranian Revolution,
Iranian students stormed the U.S.
Embassy and took over 50
Americans hostage.
• WHY?
• Hostages were finally released
after a year in captivity (1980).
Top: An American
Hostage
Left: The defaced
seal of the United
States at the former
embassy in Iran.
The Ayatollah died in 1989.
He is buried here.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
• Current Supreme Leader:
• Works w/Iran’s
“democratically” elected
president
• During the 1990s, some
reforms occurred
• In the past decade, more
conservative clerics have
reversed many of those
reforms.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Supreme Leader of Iran
(1989-present)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
• President of Iran (2005-2013)
• Answered to Imams (Ayatollah)
• Called an extremist by many
• Called the west: materialistic, arrogant powers
• Denied the Holocaust
• Pushed for Nuclear Program
• Caused economic sanctions to be placed on
Iran by many western nations.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of Iran
(2005-2013)
Islamic Republic of Iran:
TODAY
• President Hassan Rouhani (2013-present)
• Considered more moderate than Ahmadinejad
• In 2015, the United States and Iran reached a
deal that could:
• End the economic sanctions
• End Iran’s nuclear program
• The deal is VERY controversial and must be further
approved by both sides before it takes effect.
• Only time will tell . . .
Netanyahu’s Response
• Israel’s Prime Minister isn’t buying it!
• Iran and Israel have been enemies for decades.
• He called Ahmadinejad a wolf in wolf’s clothing. He calls Rouhani a
wolf in sheep’s clothing.