The relationship between the United States and Iran has been extensively studied through various theoretical frameworks. Researchers have offered numerous interpretations regarding the origins and underlying causes of the longstanding conflict between the two nations. Analyzing the Iran-US relations necessitates considering a multitude of influential factors. The complexity of these relations is compounded by numerous variables across diverse fields, posing challenges to a comprehensive representation of the subject. This study aimed to rearrange the influential variables affecting the Iran-US relations. Utilizing a classic grounded theory approach, interviews were conducted with experts in the field. Upon reaching theoretical saturation, the results were categorized into events, concepts, and a central category. The findings identified key topics, including the structural opposition of the Islamic Republic, its revisionist stance in the international system, the impact of the Abraham Accords, the historical burden of the Iran-US relations, and the US’s dominance approach. These topics collectively fall under the overarching category of “Iran-US ideological opposition”.