In a pivotal moment of 20th-century geopolitics, Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran was ousted in a coup orchestrated by the UK and backed by the US. The primary aim was to safeguard British oil interests in the region.
This event significantly bolstered the authority of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, while simultaneously fueling anti-Western sentiment, particularly against the US and the UK, within Iran.
Eventually, the shah’s diminishing popularity culminated in his overthrow during the transformative 1979 Iranian Revolution. This led to the official establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini assuming the role of its inaugural supreme leader.
Following the revolution, the new regime imposed stringent restrictions on women’s rights, marking a stark shift in societal norms.
Amidst these changes, Ali Khamenei was inaugurated as Iran’s president, notable for taking his oath of office with his right arm in a sling due to an unsuccessful assassination attempt in 1981.
Upon Khomeini’s death, Khamenei ascended to become Iran’s second supreme leader, continuing to shape the country’s political landscape.
Around this time, it establishes a plan to develop nuclear weapons, known as Project AMAD.
Iran is subjected to oil and trade sanctions by the US over state terrorism sponsorship and the desire for a nuclear weapon. Further sanctions are applied in the coming decades.
Student protests break out in response to the closure of reformist newspaper Salam.
In the largest demonstrations since the days of the revolution, at least four students are killed, hundreds are wounded and more than 1000 are arrested in the crackdown by authorities.
Project AMAD is shelved, although Iran’s nuclear program, including civilian uses, continues.
Iran signs the Tehran Agreement, which included pledges to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment and reprocessing, and more intrusive inspections by international authorities, although its cooperation with those commitments is frequently questioned.
Protests in major cities break out in response to the 2009 presidential elections, after incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is declared the winner over two reformist opposition candidates, who claim the result is fraudulent.
Dozens are killed and thousands arrested in the ensuing crackdown.
Iran admits it is building a uranium enrichment plant, but insists it is for civilian purposes.
Separately, it test-fires a range of medium- and long-range missiles that could reach Israel and US military bases in the region.
Iran signs the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the United States under President Barack Obama, as well as China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and Germany.
The agreement limits Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
US President Donald Trump withdraws from the nuclear deal.
More than 550 people are killed in the crackdown, and almost 20,000 arrested.
However, the US does not take military action in Iran.
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