Iran has a long history of targeting Americans, starting with the 1979 hostage crisis when radical students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. They held 52 Americans captive for 444 days, demanding the extradition of the Shah. This act of aggression forced Washington to sever ties and impose sanctions, freezing Iranian assets. Iran’s hatred for America was clear from the beginning.
In 1983, Iran backed terrorists who bombed the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 brave servicemen. This cowardly attack showed Iran’s hand in global terrorism. They continued supporting hostage-takers in Lebanon throughout the 1980s, tormenting American families. Iran proved it would use any means to hurt us.
The U.S. struck back hard in 1988 with Operation Praying Mantis after Iran mined the Persian Gulf. Our Navy destroyed Iranian oil platforms and sank their warship in the largest naval battle since WWII. This powerful response forced Iran to accept a ceasefire with Iraq. America showed we won’t tolerate attacks on our forces.
That same year, tragedy struck when the USS Vincennes mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 civilians. While the U.S. called it a combat-zone accident and compensated families, Iran exploited this for propaganda. They ignored our regret and used the incident to fuel anti-American hatred.
Washington rightly labeled Iran a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984. Over decades, Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah killed nearly 1,000 Westerners. Their terror network spans the globe, targeting innocent civilians. Iran remains the world’s top terror sponsor today.
In 2019, Iranian militias stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, chanting “Death to America.” These thugs demanded we withdraw troops from Iraq. President Trump rightly warned Iran would pay a “very big price” for endangering Americans. We don’t bow to terrorists.
America took decisive action in 2020 by eliminating Qasem Soleimani, Iran’s terror mastermind. This monster directed attacks killing hundreds of Americans. Iran’s weak retaliation failed, even accidentally shooting down a passenger plane. Taking out Soleimani made America safer.
Iran continues its aggression today with missile tests and naval threats. President Trump calls them the region’s most destructive force, ruining their own country while threatening others. We must remain vigilant against this terror regime that’s menaced America for four decades.
