In 1979, protests broke out across the country against the government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This was triggered by foreign policy domination, exploitation of Iran's resources and wealth by foreign companies, corruption and an oppressive regime. The Shah's government's close ties to the United States and Israel, its methods of oppression, and its Westernization agenda were unpopular with the Iranian people. They therefore turned to the ulama as an alternative. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in exile in Paris, distributed tapes of his speeches to many participants in the protests. The protests were eventually grouped under the umbrella of Shiite Islam. The Shah was eventually overthrown and sent into exile. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile in Iran. On April 1, 1979, Iran became an Islamic republic by national referendum. In November of the same year, the infamous hostage crisis took place, in which students stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and captured 60 American citizens in exchange for the extradition of the Shah who was in the United States to receive medical treatment. This incident gave rise to a trial before the International Court of Justice and the severance of diplomatic relations between the two States. The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran differed greatly from that of the Shah. It is driven by two main ideologies. First, there was the idea of ​​“neither East nor West, but the Islamic Republic,” which resulted in the complete elimination of all American influence in Iran. The second was the export of the revolution. Iranian leaders sought to expand their influence within the Muslim world and rid it of oppressive rulers as well as foreign influence. Being the only country in...... middle of paper......-Iran.htm> “Ruhollah Khomeini”. Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. May 3, 2014..Shalom, Steven R. “The United States and the Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988.” Iranian Chamber Society. May 5, 2014. “United States-Iran Relations.” Time to leave. Pars Times, and Web. May 3, 2014.< http://www.parstimes.com/history/us_iran.html>“Who is Hezbollah? BBC News. BBC News, July 4, 2010. Web. May 5, 2014. Wilner, Michael. “Iran will continue nuclear negotiations with the West despite strengthening US sanctions,” Zarif said. » The Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post, December 15, 2013. Web. May 5, 2014.< http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Iran-will-continue-nuclear-talks-with-West-despite-new-US-sanctions-Zarif-says-335042>