Introduction

Since the Revolution of 1978/79, which eventually brought to power Ayatollah Khomeini and his circle of conservative, though politically active, clerics, the relationship between Iran and the USA has represented one of the world's most complex and hostile international entanglements.

Book Focus

In this book, Penelope Kinch analyses the extent to which political identity has contributed to challenges in the relationship and the role of myths in foreign policy.

Methodology

Kinch first examines the construction of political identity in each country, and thereby traces the imagined norms which have their impact on international behaviour.

Historical and Contemporary Issues

Looking at the misperceptions that have precluded closer communication between the two states, Kinch examines both historical issues, such as the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis, as well as more contemporary crises, most notably over Iran's nuclear power programme.