Why Iran and America Have Been Enemies Since 1953

In 1953, the CIA and Britain's MI6 helped overthrow Iran's elected prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh. Seventy-three years later, American and Iranian warships are facing off in the Strait of Hormuz. This is the story of how one secret coup set off a rivalry that is still burning today: the oil, the Shah, the 1979 revolution, the hostage crisis, and the long list of grudges that led to 2026. CHAPTERS 0:00 The coup that started it all 0:43 Black Gold 2:22 The Old Man in Pajamas 3:59 Operation Ajax 5:31 The Coup That Failed 6:54 The Shah's Iran 8:22 1979 9:45 A Long List of Grudges 11:11 2026: Back to the Strait 11:54 So, how did we get here? Animated history, politics and conflicts, told clearly and fairly from all sides. Subscribe so you don't miss the next story: The Strait of Hormuz. SOURCES CIA declassified documents on the 1953 coup (released 2013, 2017) Wikipedia: 1953 Iranian coup d'état; Mohammad Mosaddegh; Iran hostage crisis; Iran–United States relations; 2026 Iran war Stephen Kinzer, "All the Shah's Men" Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker #history #iran #geopolitics