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Britain draws up a plan to extend its influence over all of Iran, which would effectively make it a British protectorate. The agreement rouses fierce opposition in Iran's Parliament, however, and it is never ratified.
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Iranian Prime Minister Muhammad Mussadeq is overthrown in a coup orchestrated by American and British intelligence agencies. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is reinstated as the Shah of Iran.
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US-backed Shah of Iran forced to leave the country after widespread demonstrations and strikes.
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Iranian students storm the United States embassy in Tehran and hold scores of hostages, most for 444 days. The United States cuts all diplomatic relations with Iran and imposes economic sanctions
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The United States stages a doomed attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran. Eight U.S. servicemen die.
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The public learns of an American effort to sell arms to Iran as a way of raising funds for anti-Communist fighters (known as Contras) in Nicaragua.
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The USS Vincennes mistakenly shoots down an Iran Air flight over the Persian Gulf killing 290 people.
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The United States implements a policy toward Iran and Iraq known as "dual containment" in an effort to isolate both countries and contain their regional ambitions.
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An earthquake kills 50,000 people in the Iranian city of Bam. The United States provides direct aid to victims.
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For the first time in 27 years, officials of Iran and the United States meet face-to-face for Memorial Day talks.
