It started with oil and a coup: How the US ended up in the Israel-Iran conflict 70 years later

Trump delivers address to the nation on US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

It started with oil and a secret deal to remove a leader.

In 1953, the United States and Britain orchestrated a covert coup to overthrow Iran’s elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, after he tried to nationalise the country’s oil. What started as a fight over oil turned into a decades-long struggle for power between Iran and the West.

Seventy years later, that tension has erupted into one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the Middle East. The US has now officially entered the Israel-Iran war, launching coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, a move that marks a dramatic new phase in an already volatile conflict.

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Here’s how it all built up over time: Key moments that led to the current US-Iran conflict

1951–53: Iran tries to control its oil

Iran’s PM Mohammad Mossadegh moves to nationalise oil, which angers Britain. The CIA helps remove him from power in 1953, and the US supports the return of Iran’s Shah. Many Iranians never forgive this foreign interference.

1979: Revolution and the US hostage crisis

Iranians overthrow the US-backed Shah. Islamic leader Ayatollah Khomeini takes over. Protesters storm the US embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. The US cuts ties with Iran. Relations are never restored.

1980s: War and worsening ties

The US supports Iraq in its war against Iran. In 1984, Washington lists Iran as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” In 1988, the US Navy accidentally shoots down an Iranian passenger plane, killing all 290 people on board.

1997: Soleimani’s rise

Qasem Soleimani becomes head of the Quds Force, Iran’s elite military unit focused on foreign operations. He grows into one of the most powerful figures in Iran.

2002: Bush calls Iran part of the ‘Axis of Evil’

Iran secretly helps the US against the Taliban after 9/11. But President George W. Bush accuses Iran of supporting terror and developing nukes.

2003–2015: Iran’s nuclear work raises alarms

UN finds traces of enriched uranium. Iran denies plans for a bomb. After years of talks, the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is signed with the Obama administration—limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions.

2018: Trump pulls out of the nuclear deal

Trump calls the deal “one-sided” and quits. Sanctions are reimposed. Iran resumes uranium enrichment. Tensions rise.

2020: US kills Soleimani, Iran hits back

Trump orders a drone strike on Soleimani. Iran responds with missile attacks on US bases. Iran accidentally shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane during the confusion.

2021–22: Biden tries to restart talks, but they stall

Nuclear talks resume but go nowhere after hardliner Ebrahim Raisi becomes Iran’s president. Iran starts supplying drones to Russia during the Ukraine war.

2023: A thaw, but brief

The US and Iran swap prisoners. But in October, Hamas attacks Israel. The US says Iran didn’t plan the attack, but tensions grow again.

2024: Iran directly attacks Israel

For the first time ever, Iran launches hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. The US and allies help Israel shoot most of them down.

2025: From pressure to war
January: Trump returns to office and resumes his 'maximum pressure' strategy on Iran.
March: Trump sends a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader proposing a new nuclear deal, giving Tehran a two-month deadline.
April–May: Indirect talks are held in Oman and Rome. The US signals that a deal is close, but Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium.
June 13: Israel carries out major airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump first distances himself but later backs the move.
June 22: The US officially enters the conflict, joining Israel in striking at least three nuclear sites in Iran.