Examining the Extent of the U.S. Government’s Compliance with Economic and Developmental Treaties and Agreements Concluded with Iran (1350–1357 A.H.S. / 1951–1979)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding author: Graduate in History, specialization in Islamic Iran, Department of History, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Substantive economic relations between Iran and the United States began to take shape in the 1950s. Seeking to prevent the spread of communist influence in West Asia, recognizing Iran’s strategic significance, aiming to benefit from the country’s resources and markets, and intending to transform Iran into a source of regional stability and a strong executive arm as a reliable ally, the United States expanded its relations with Iran through the conclusion of agreements in the economic and developmental spheres. These agreements entailed obligations for both parties and remained in force until the end of the Pahlavi period. With the victory of the Islamic Revolution, however, these interactions came to an end, and all economic and developmental treaties and agreements were annulled. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach and employing the historical method, this study seeks to answer the following question: to what extent did the U.S. government remain committed to its obligations toward the Iranian government during the years 1951 to 1979? The findings indicate that the U.S. government remained committed to its obligations toward Iran in many cases, largely because of the significant political and economic interests it obtained through the conclusion of these agreements.

Keywords

References

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American Strategic Studies
Volume 5, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
Serial number 20 - Winter 2026
June 2026
Pages 159-188

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 January 2026
  • Accept Date: 22 May 2026
  • Publish Date: 08 June 2026

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