Gerald R. Ford presided over the last period of peaceful U.S. relations with Iran. After Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal, Ford largely continued Nixon’s policy toward Iran from 1974 to early 1977. Many Iranians reflect fondly on the 1970s and long for a return to their golden years of peace, prosperity, and security. President Donald Trump, a fan of the 1970s, seems ready to help.

In his first address to a Joint Session of Congress, Ford pledged continuity in foreign policy. Avoiding another war in the Middle East and the possibility of another Arab oil embargo were chief among the issues the president mentioned in his address. Ford mentioned Iran 16 times in his address.