Iran had put itself in isolation because of its radicalism, and after having helped the United States indirectly in the war against Iraq in 1991, the Iranians were hoping that they would be rewarded by being included in the post-war security architecture of the region.
Iranul s-a autoizolat prin radicalism și, după ce a ajutat indirect Statele Unite în războiul împotriva Iraqului din 1991, iranienii sperau că vor fi răsplătiți prin includerea în arhitectura de securitate postbelică a regiunii.