U.S. support of Iranian nuclear power

Stamp collectors will recognize the item pictured on the left - the 3c commemorative (Scott #1070) issued in 1955 to honor the "Atoms for Peace" program. Most, however, won't know much about the program itself, which in fact has only the briefest of Wiki entries. The program supplied information and equipment to organizations around the world to promote the peaceful application of nuclear energy. One of the targets of that program was the creation of nuclear reactors in Iran; for the next several decades the U.S. encouraged and supported the establishment of Iran's nuclear energy program.

The advertisement above was run by several northeastern power companies to promote acceptance of nuclear power by the American public. It suggested that oil-rich Iran had a practical need for nuclear reactors. An Iran led by the Shah of Iran, who had been placed in power after the U.S. and Britain overthrew the democratically-elected Mohammed Mossadegh. In view of the ongoing brinksmanship being displayed by President Bush and President Ahmadinejad over the subject of nuclear energy in Iran, the irony of the historical background is striking.