Heather Parks Dr.

Miglietta Worksheet 12/06/10

Showdown with Iran

1. Discuss the role of Iran regarding Afghanistan. After 9/11, the United States decided that it was in our best interest to find and get rid of terrorists, especially those who were involved in the attack. Because of the location of Afghanistan to Iran, it could possibly jeopardize the already rocky relationship between the U.S and Iran. However, Iran was in full support of the invasion. Irans stance was that the terrorists that committed the attack needed to pay for their actions. Iran did not see the invasion as a threat to their territory.

2. Discuss how the U.S. is viewed by some in Iran. Most of the populations in Iran do not perceive the U.S. in a positive way. During religious meetings, the people chant Death to America. The people of Iran feel threatened by America. They see America as a bully thats only goal is to overthrow those who do not follow American beliefs. There are signs that hang that say Down with the U.S.A Although, the U.S./Iran relationship has always been questionable, Iran did not see the America as negatively as it has since and during the Bush Administration. The Bush Administration was when the real changing point with relations with Iran occurred. Now that they have been seen as evil they feel that America is trying to go after them the same way America has invaded Iraq and Afghanistan.

3. Why is Iran significant regarding Iraq? There were extreme tensions between Iran and Iraq for many years due to the war that Iraq started with Iran. The U.S. needed Iran to allow America to invade Iraq without any issues because of its location. America understood that without this allowance it would complicate the issue of invasion. Furthermore, Iran has the power to stop all incoming military equipment and items. The Iranian government has much control over the borders

leading into Iraq and has the ability, now that Saddam is no longer in power, to enter at their own will.

4. Discuss how Iranian influence rose in Iraq after the US invasion. However, after the invasion of Iraq and the Bush Administration calling Iran apart of the axis of evil Iran opened its borders to the Iraq. They felt that Americas invasion of Iraq was a hint that they we were on our way to invading Iran as well. The United States did not bargain for Iranians and Iraqis to find a common ground that would unite them on some level. Iran has been accused by many in America of promoting and helping radicalists in Iraq that are targeting and killing American soldiers. Furthermore, Iran and Iraq are two predominate Shia countries. This religious affiliation caused the two countries to unite. Many of the Iraqis have moved to Iran because they say that living in Iran is safer than Iraq since the fall of Saddams regime.

5. Address President Bushs axis of evil speech and its affect on American-Iranian relations. After the attack on New York and the invasion of Afghanistan to fight terrorism, President Bush announced in a speech that there was an axis of evil in the Middle East. In this speech he announced that Iran was a part of this group of terrorists. This put Iran in a position to defend itself against those accusations. Iran felt that it had supported Americas post 9/11 decisions and was extremely offended by the comment. That was the turning point in Irans stance on the U.S. From that point on Iran did not condone or help the U.S. It felt threatened and decided that the U.S. invading Iraq was just a step in the direction to eventually invading Iran.

6. Who are the MEK and why are they significant? It is formally known as Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. It is a terrorist group aimed against Iranians. They are based in Iraq. MEK has made its presence known in Iraq. Iran says they have proof showing that the U.S. in working with MEK in order to stop Iranian involvement or terrorism. Iran believes this to be a double standard because the point of the invasions in Iraq and Afghanistan were to rid the world of terrorist however; here they are promoting and financially helping a terrorist organization. The reason the U.S. backs and protects MEK is because they have been a helpful source of intelligence information about Iran.