Decades before Iran's nuclear program became a global flashpoint, the United States played a pivotal role in its foundation through the 1950s "Atoms for Peace" initiative. Under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran received nuclear reactors, enriched uranium, and engineering training from the U.S. Though cooperation ended after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the legacy endured. Today’s tensions, including recent U.S.-Israeli bombings of Iranian facilities, stem from a complex history that began with peaceful intentions but evolved into geopolitical confrontation.