What if Iran became a democratic, neutral republic following the 1979 Revolution?

After the 1979 Revolution in Iran, a referendum was held to see if Iran would become an Islamic Republic.

What if this referendum failed, somehow or someway, and became a democratic republic not aligned with either the US or the USSR? If that doesn't work, then maybe there's some other POD: I'm not very well versed on the topic of the Iranian Revolution.
 
After the 1979 Revolution in Iran, a referendum was held to see if Iran would become an Islamic Republic.

What if this referendum failed, somehow or someway, and became a democratic republic not aligned with either the US or the USSR? If that doesn't work, then maybe there's some other POD: I'm not very well versed on the topic of the Iranian Revolution.
If they still try to nationalise their oil, they're still going to be facing sanctions and coups.
 

kernals12

Banned
If they still try to nationalise their oil, they're still going to be facing sanctions and coups.
That's a lot of crap.
Iraq nationalized in 1972
Kuwait nationalized in 1975
Venezuela nationalized in 1976
Saudi Arabia nationalized in 1980
There were some arguments about compensation, but they were settled peacefully and there were no serious attempts to undermine these governments over it
And even Iran, under the Shah, required a 50-50 sharing of profits with foreign companies after 1954.

The events that transpired in Iran in 1953 are very different from the Howard Zinn version of history.
 

kernals12

Banned
I don't think Iran will be able to resist drifting into Washington's orbit. Saudi Arabia's support for terrorism will bring America and Iran together, just like how Pakistan drove America closer to India.

And without the mismanagement, neglected investment, and sanctions, Iran will probably produce a lot more oil.
 
Top