Long before Iran and the United States became enemies, they were allies.
During the 1950s, under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran maintained strong relations with Washington. The United States saw Iran as a key partner in the Middle East during the Cold War.
It was during this time that Iran's nuclear ambitions first began.
Through the American program "Atoms for Peace," the United States helped Iran develop its early nuclear technology. Iranian scientists were trained abroad, and research reactors were built with Western support.
At that time, nuclear energy was presented as the future of modern civilization.
But history would soon take a dramatic turn.
In 1979, the Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah. A new Islamic government came to power, deeply critical of American influence.
In a matter of months, the close partnership between Tehran and Washington collapsed.
The alliance had ended.
A long rivalry was about to begin.