A week of conflict in the Middle East has followed military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, dramatically escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The latest hostilities mark a significant flashpoint in a relationship that has been strained for decades.

The rivalry between the United States and Iran stretches back generations, shaped by political upheaval, regional power struggles, and shifting global alliances. Successive American presidents have grappled with the complex and often hostile dynamic between the two nations.

In the latest episode of Sky News Explains, Olive Enokido-Lineham explores the pivotal moments that have defined this fraught relationship, unpacks the wider geopolitical landscape, and examines how the current crisis could unfold in the weeks ahead.