Is the U.S. Still Acting Like an Empire?

Bright lights shimmer across Tehran’s skyline, but underneath the vibrant colors lies a nation under pressure—socially, economically, and politically. In early June, the United States launched strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, citing concerns over nuclear development. But it raises a big question: why Iran, and why now?

After all, multiple countries—including the U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K., India, and Pakistan—already have nuclear weapons. So why is Iran being singled out?

This isn’t just about one moment. It’s part of a long story—one that teens should know, especially if we want to understand today’s world.

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A History of Influence

To really get what’s going on today, we need to look back. In 1951, Iran elected a prime minister named Mohammad Mosaddegh, who believed Iran should control its own oil. But that clashed with Western interests—mainly Britain and the U.S., who had major stakes in Iran’s oil profits.

When Mosaddegh nationalized Iran’s oil industry, the U.S. and U.K. helped overthrow him in a secret operation called Operation Ajax in 1953. The Shah of Iran, who supported U.S. interests, was put back in power.

Many Iranians saw this as direct interference—imperialism disguised as diplomacy. The American interference in Iran’s internal affairs and its support of the Shah’s oppressive regime was characterized by human rights violations, rampant corruption, and unequal distribution of profits from Iranian oil.

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From Crisis to Conflict

By 1979, things reached a boiling point. Iranians stormed the U.S. embassy and took 52 American diplomats hostage for over a year. They weren’t just angry about the embassy—they were furious that the U.S. had allowed the Shah, who had ruled harshly, to enter America instead of facing trial. The hostage crisis became a turning point in U.S.-Iran relations, and the American public's support for cutting off trade with Iran grew, even if it meant harming ordinary civilians.

This pattern—using political and economic power to pressure other nations—is one way the U.S. has extended its global influence.

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The Iran-Iraq War: Picking Sides

In the 1980s, the U.S. supported Iraq in its brutal war with Iran. The goal wasn’t to help Iraq win—it was to keep Iran weak and the region “stable” for U.S. interests, especially oil. In fact, while the U.S. urged other countries to stop sending weapons to Iran, it didn’t stop arms from going to Iraq.

The message? The U.S. was more interested in balance and control than peace.

The Pattern Repeats

We’ve seen similar patterns in Vietnam and during the Gulf War, where U.S. involvement was framed as protecting democracy, but often aligned with protecting resources or influence. The Vietnam War began as a fight against communism but left millions dead and Vietnam devastated. U.S. economic sanctions on Vietnam and later involvement in rebuilding the country show how control didn’t always come through war—it often came through money, trade, and policy.

In 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq, claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. None were ever found. The war led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians and caused massive destruction across the country. Once again, the promises of peace and security masked deeper motives—access to oil, regional dominance, and strategic control.

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A Modern Form of Imperialism?

Today, the U.S. doesn’t call itself an empire. It talks about freedom, democracy, and global peace. But many of its actions—from military strikes to economic sanctions—raise questions. When the U.S. supports certain governments, picks sides in foreign conflicts, or punishes countries for acting independently, it’s fair to ask: is this just power politics… or is it imperialism in disguise?

Teens are more globally aware than ever. We scroll through headlines about wars, sanctions, and protests. But understanding why things happen—and who benefits—matters. By looking at history and asking critical questions, we can challenge the idea that influence always equals justice.

Look Beyond the Headlines

The recent bombings of nuclear sites in Iran didn’t happen in a vacuum. They’re part of a bigger story—a long pattern of U.S. influence around the world, often framed as protection but leaving behind destruction. When we hear about “surgical strikes” or “strategic targets,” it’s easy to forget what that really means: lives disrupted, families torn apart, and ordinary people caught in the crossfire.

As teens, we don’t have to accept everything at face value. We owe it to ourselves—and to the people living through these events—to ask deeper questions. Why are bombs being dropped?

Who decides? And who pays the price?

Empires may not always fly flags or draw borders anymore, but influence still shapes lives. Understanding that is the first step toward seeing through headlines and forming opinions rooted in justice, history, and truth.