Jimmy Carter’s 1979 Withdrawal of U.S. Support Triggers Iran’s Shah Overthrow

In early 1979 President Jimmy Carter’s administration ended diplomatic and military backing for Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran. The abrupt loss of U.S. support contributed to the Shah’s collapse and the succession of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s Islamic Republic. The new regime, backed by the nation’s oil wealth and military assets, later became a focal point for anti‑U.S. militancy throughout the Middle East. Former President Ronald Reagan publicly condemned the Carter decision, describing it as a lasting stain on American foreign policy.

The episode reshaped U.S.–Middle East relations, removed a long‑standing pro‑American ally, and set the stage for persistent geopolitical tensions that continue to affect regional security and global counter‑terrorism efforts.