For years, relations between the U.S. and the Middle Eastern country of Iran have been rife with tension. Since 1979, when religious fundamentalists took control of Iran's political system and declared the country an Islamic republic, the two nations have had no diplomatic ties and have frequently clashed over political and strategic differences. Although the U.S. and Iran have never gone to war, their heated rivalry has occasionally flared into hostile rhetoric and violence. …showed first 75 words of 1953 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1953 total…the political realities are very different," he says. References: Abdo, Geneive. "The Tenacious Hold of Repression in Iran." New York Times (June 12, 2001): A33. Fairbanks, Stephen. "Iran: No Easy Answers." Journal of International Affairs (Spring 2003): 447. Lantos, Tom. "Let's Not Reward Iran for Bad Behavior." Washington Post (May 28, 2002): A23. Moore, Molly. "Iran's Women Say Yes to Khatami." Washington Post (Friday 8, 1999): A22. New York Times. "Iran's Leader Says U.S., to Improve Ties, Must Ease Policy." (June 6, 2001): A12.