The modern state of Iran was established in 1925 when Reza Shah Pahlavi was crowned, marking the end of the Qajar Dynasty. Prior to this, Iran was part of the Persian Empire, which lasted from 550 BC until it became the current nation-state following World War I. Reza Shah notably propelled Iran into industrialization and generally adopted a policy of western development. This included the construction of the Trans-Iranian railroad and an eventual policy of compulsory education. Iran also has historically controlled large amounts of oil and natural resources that has kept it within British and other Western national interests. Because of this, Reza Shah enjoyed support from the British throughout his tenure, until his relationship with the Germans during World War II became a concern for the Allied — most prominently Britain. As a result, the British and Soviet-led Allied Powers essentially forced Reza Shah to abdicate the throne to his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Mohammad Mossadegh gained popularity in the late 1940s in response to the influence that Western Powers continually exercised over Iran and its resources. One of the primary goals of Mossadegh and his National Front Party was to nationalize Iranian Oil, the basis for this strong foreign interest. Mossadegh was eventually elected prime minister in 1950 with wide popular support and followed through with his plan to nationalize the oil industry weeks after his election. Failed attempts between Mossadegh and the West to come to an agreement surrounding oil rights led to the Shah fleeing the country and upset Britain and other Western powers. Classified documents released in 2013 confirm that the CIA and MI-6 led a successful coup to overthrow Mossadegh in 1953 in response to his nationalization of oil. The coup harbored a period of unrest and economic downturn that destabilized the country.

Mohammad Reza Shah was reinstated following the Western-backed coup. Many scholars attribute his low popularity in part to his connections to Western powers, and explain that the funding and support he enjoyed from the West made much of the populace perceive him as a pawn of the West’s influence. His links to the West combined with his increasingly dictatorial reign ultimately led to unrest and opposition, which many scholars explain laid the groundwork for the 1979 Revolution. The American and British participation in the 1953 coup to overthrow Mossadegh is also attributed to the widespread anti-Western sentiment in Iran leading to the Revolution and into today.