History of Iran in Timeline

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (also known as Persia), is a West Asian country bordering several nations including Iraq, Turkey, and Afghanistan. With a population exceeding 92 million and a land area of over 1.6 million square kilometers, it ranks among the world's largest countries by size and population. Characterized by its mountainous terrain, Iran is divided into 31 provinces and five regions. Tehran serves as its capital, largest city, and financial center. It is also a multi-ethnic country.

1905: Start of the Persian Constitutional Revolution

In 1905, the Persian Constitutional Revolution began, leading to the establishment of an Iranian parliament.

1911: End of the Persian Constitutional Revolution

In 1911, the Persian Constitutional Revolution ended, leading to the establishment of an Iranian parliament.

1921: 1921 coup d'état

After the 1921 coup d'état, the Qajar dynasty was replaced with the Pahlavi dynasty.

1925: Establishment of the Pahlavi dynasty

In 1925, Reza Shah established the Pahlavi dynasty by ousting the last Qajar shah.

1925: Mandatory Military Service

Since 1925, all male citizens aged 18 in Iran must serve around 14 months in the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces (IRIAF) or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

1928: Establishment of new Iranian school of fine art

In 1928, Kamal-ol-molk established a new Iranian school of fine art, influencing painting norms and adopting a naturalistic style.

1935: Request to use the name Iran

In 1935, Reza Shah requested the international community to use Iran's native and original name, Iran, instead of Persia.

August 1941: Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran

In August 1941, the British and Soviet forces invaded Iran, deposing Reza Shah and replacing him with his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Iran also became the major conduit of Allied Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union.

September 1941: Reza Shah Abdicates

On September 16, 1941, Reza Shah was forced to abdicate by the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran.

1947: Rise and Fall of Prime Ministers

From 1947 to 1951, Parliament became chronically unstable, and Iran saw the rise and fall of six different prime ministers.

1949: Opening of Tehran's first modern art gallery

Tehran's first modern art gallery, Apadana, was opened in 1949 by Mahmud Javadipur, Hosein Kazemi, and Hushang Ajudani.

1950: Urban proportion of population

From 1950 to 2002, the urban proportion of Iran's population increased from 27% to 60%.

1951: Rise and Fall of Prime Ministers

From 1947 to 1951, Parliament became chronically unstable, and Iran saw the rise and fall of six different prime ministers.

1951: Nationalization of the British-owned oil industry

In 1951, Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq nationalized the British-owned oil industry, leading to the Abadan Crisis.

1952: Brief removal of Mosaddeq from power

In 1952, Mosaddeq was briefly removed from power but quickly re-appointed by the Shah.

1952: Government control of commercial fishing

In 1952, the government of Iran assumed control of commercial fishing operations.

August 1953: Mosaddeq forced Shah into exile

In August 1953, Mosaddeq forced the Shah into a brief exile after a failed military coup.

1953: Anglo-American coup

In 1953, an Anglo-American coup occurred in Iran due to Mohammad Mosaddegh's attempts to nationalize the oil industry.

1956: Iran's population

In 1956 Iran's population was approximately 19 million

1960: Co-invention of the first gas laser

In 1960, Ali Javan co-invented the first gas laser.

1976: Increased focus on inland water fish production

Between 1976 and 2004, there was increased attention focused on producing fish from inland waters in Iran. The combined take from inland waters by the state and private sectors increased from 1,100 tons to 110,175 tons.

November 1979: Iran hostage crisis

On November 4, 1979, Iranian students seized US embassy personnel, beginning the Iran hostage crisis.

December 1979: Approval of the new theocratic Constitution

In December 1979, the new theocratic Constitution was approved, establishing Ayatollah Khomeini as the Supreme Leader of the country.

1979: Iran derecognizes Israel

In 1979, Iran derecognized the state of Israel.

1979: Iranian Revolution

In 1979, the Iranian Revolution overthrew the monarchy, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was established by Ruhollah Khomeini.

September 1980: Iraqi invasion of Iran

On September 22, 1980, the Iraqi army invaded Iran at Khuzestan, initiating the Iran–Iraq War.

1980: Iraq invades Iran

In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, leading to the Iran–Iraq War.

January 1981: End of Iran hostage crisis

The Iran hostage crisis, which began on November 4, 1979, ended in January 1981 with the release of fifty-two hostages after 444 days.

1982: Iranian forces push back the Iraqi army

By 1982, Iranian forces had pushed the Iraqi army back into Iraq.

1982: Establishment of Hezbollah in Lebanon

Since the Revolution, Iran has built a network of state and non-state actors, starting with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 1982.

1988: Truce in the Iran-Iraq war

In 1988, Khomeini accepted a truce mediated by the United Nations, ending the Iran-Iraq war.

June 1989: Khamenei Named Supreme Leader

Following Khomeini's death on June 3, 1989, the Constitutional Reform Council named then president Ali Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, and made a number of changes to Iran's constitution.

1989: Formation of the Supreme National Security Council

During the 1989 Iranian constitutional referendum, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) was formed to protect national interests, the revolution, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty, as mandated by Article 176 of the Constitution.

1989: President Rafsanjani's policies

In 1989, President Akbar Rafsanjani concentrated on rebuilding the economy with pro-business policies while adhering to the revolution's ideology. He supported a free market domestically and a moderate international position.

1991: First direct attack on Israel by a state force since 1991

April 2024 was the first time since 1991 that Israel was directly attacked by a state force.

1996: Increase in publication output

From 1996 through 2004, Iran increased its publication output nearly tenfold.

1997: Khatami succeeds Rafsanjani

In 1997, moderate reformist Mohammad Khatami succeeded Rafsanjani, advocating for freedom of expression, constructive diplomatic relations, and a free-market economic policy.

2000: Juan José Linz on the Iranian Regime

In 2000, Juan José Linz described the Iranian regime as combining totalitarianism's ideological bent with authoritarianism's limited pluralism.

2001: Technical and engineering services export

Over the period from 2001 to 2011, Iran exported technical and engineering services worth over $20 billion.

2002: Urban proportion of population

From 1950 to 2002, the urban proportion of Iran's population increased from 27% to 60%.

2003: Population estimates in 2003

According to a 2003 estimate, Persians made up 51% of the population, while Azerbaijanis made up 24%, Gilaks and Mazenderanis 8%, Kurds 7%, Arabs 3%, Lurs 2%, Balochis 2%, Turkmens 2% and other groups make up the remaining 1%.

2003: Bam earthquake

In 2003, the devastating Bam earthquake occurred in Iran.

2003: US invasion of Iraq

Since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iran has financed and trained militia groups in Iraq.

2004: Increased inland fish production

Between 1976 and 2004, the combined take from inland waters by the state and private sectors increased from 1,100 tons to 110,175 tons.

2004: Civil war in Yemen

During Yemen's civil war, Iran provided military support to the Houthis, a Zaydi Shia movement fighting Yemen's Sunni government since 2004.

2004: Increase in publication output

From 1996 through 2004, Iran increased its publication output nearly tenfold, and ranked first in output growth rate, followed by China.

2004: Iran opens first wind-powered and geothermal plants

In 2004, Iran opened its first wind-powered and geothermal plants.

2004: Establishment of Iranian Space Agency

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) was established in 2004.

2005: Hottest Recorded Spot on Earth

In 2005, the Lut Desert recorded the hottest spot on Earth's surface, with a temperature of 70.7 °C.

2005: Ahmadinejad elected president

The 2005 presidential election brought conservative populist and nationalist candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power, known for his hardline views and nuclearization policies.

2006: Iran's influence elevated after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War

Hezbollah's strategic successes against Israel, such as its symbolic victory during the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War, elevated Iran's influence in the Levant and strengthened its appeal across the Muslim World.

2006: Cloning of a sheep

In 2006, Iranian scientists successfully cloned a sheep at the Royan Research Centre in Tehran.

2006: Disputed election results

In 2006, the election results in Iran were widely disputed, resulting in protests.

2008: Iran's industrial production growth rate

From 2008 to 2009, Iran experienced a significant leap in annual industrial production growth rate, rising to 28th place from 69th.

2008: Population estimates in 2008

In 2008, the Library of Congress issued slightly different population estimates: 65% Persians (also including Gilaks and Mazenderanis), 16% Azerbaijanis, 7% Kurds, 6% Lurs, 2% Arabs, 2% Balochis, 1% Turkic tribal groups, and non-Persian, non-Turkic groups less than 1%.

2008: Passenger car ownership

In 2008, there were nearly 100 passenger cars for every 1,000 inhabitants in Iran.

2009: Iran leaps in industrial production growth rate

From 2008 to 2009, Iran leaped to 28th place from 69th in annual industrial production growth rate.

2009: Iran becomes an orbital-launch-capable nation

In 2009, Iran became an orbital-launch-capable nation and placed its domestically built satellite Omid into orbit, using the Safir expendable launch vehicle.

2009: First solar thermal plant begins operations

In 2009, Iran's first solar thermal plant began operations.

2010: Economic reform plan

In 2010, Iran's economic reform plan was to cut subsidies gradually and replace them with targeted social assistance, aiming to move towards free market prices and increase productivity and social justice.

2010: Inscription of carpet weaving skills to UNESCO list

In 2010, the "traditional skills of carpet weaving" in Fars Province and Kashan were inscribed to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

2010: Unveiling of humanoid robot Sorena 2

In 2010, the Iranian humanoid robot Sorena 2, designed by engineers at the University of Tehran, was unveiled.

2010: Government goal of 53 GW installed capacity

The Iranian government aimed to achieve 53 GW of installed capacity by 2010 by commissioning new gas-fired plants and adding hydropower and nuclear generation capacity.

2011: Iranian industrial companies carrying out foreign projects

As of 2011, approximately 66 Iranian industrial companies were involved in carrying out projects across 27 different countries.

2011: Road network in Iran

In 2011, Iran had a road network of 173,000 kilometers (107,000 mi), with 73% being paved.

2011: First nuclear power plant online

Iran's first nuclear power plant went online in 2011.

2012: SCImago study on research output

According to a 2012 study by SCImago, Iran would rank fourth in research output by 2018, if the trend persisted.

2013: Rouhani elected president

In 2013, centrist and reformist Hassan Rouhani was elected president, focusing on personal freedom, information access, women's rights, and improved diplomatic relations.

2013: Value of Setad enterprise

In 2013, the Setad, a state-owned enterprise under the Rahbar, was valued at $95 billion.

2014: Companies linked to IRGC started building roads in Iraq

Following Iraq's struggle against ISIS in 2014, companies linked to the IRGC such as Khatam al-Anbiya, started to build roads, power plants, hotels and businesses in Iraq, creating an economic corridor.

2014: Maryam Mirzakhani wins Fields Medal

In 2014, Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani became the first woman, and Iranian, to receive the Fields Medal, the highest prize in mathematics.

2014: Instability in Yemen

The instability in Yemen, starting in 2014, has allowed Iran to build strong alliances and footholds beyond its borders.

2015: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement

In 2015, Iran and the P5+1 agreed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan on Action (JCPOA), which aimed to end economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Iran's production of enriched uranium.

2015: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

In 2015, The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was reached in Vienna, between Iran, the P5+1 (UN Security Council + Germany) and the EU.The negotiations centered around ending the economic sanctions in exchange for Iran's restriction in producing enriched uranium.

2016: Literacy rate in Iran

As of 2016, the literacy rate among people aged 15 and older in Iran was 86%, with men (90%) significantly more educated than women (81%).

2016: Qeshm becomes a UNESCO Global Geopark

In 2016, Qeshm became a UNESCO Global Geopark.

2016: Launch of Simorgh

The Simorgh launch vehicle, successor to the Safir, was launched in 2016.

2017: Iranian protests

In 2017, Iranian protests swept across the country in response to the economic and political situation, with thousands of protesters arrested.

2018: Projected research output ranking

According to a 2012 study by SCImago, Iran would rank fourth in research output by 2018, if the trend persisted.

2018: Population growth rate

As of 2018, Iran's population growth rate was about 1.39%.

2018: Tehran Metro ridership

In 2018, the Tehran Metro, the largest in the Middle East, recorded 820 million trips.

2018: US withdrawal from JCPOA

In 2018, the US under the Trump Administration withdrew from the JCPOA deal and imposed new sanctions.

2019: Iran's retracted publications

According to a 2019 study by Isabel Campos-Varela et al., Iran recorded the highest proportion of retracted publications globally, with 15.52 retractions per 10,000 publications.

2019: Discovery of southern oil field

In 2019, Iran discovered a southern oil field containing 50 billion barrels.

2019: Registration of Vank Cathedral

In 2019, the Iranian government registered the Vank Cathedral, in Isfahan, as a World Heritage Site.

2019: Tourism before the COVID-19 pandemic

In 2019, tourism in Iran had been rapidly growing, reaching nearly 9 million foreign visitors, making it the world's third fastest-growing tourism destination before the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019: Iranian protests

The 2019 Iranian protests started on 15 November in Ahvaz, and spread across the country after the government announced increases in fuel prices of up to 300%.

January 2020: Downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

On 8 January 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shortly after takeoff, killing all 176 occupants on board.

2020: High-speed mobile internet usage

As of 2020, 70 million Iranians use high-speed mobile internet.

2020: Iran no longer observes JCPOA limits

By 2020, Iran announced it would no longer observe any limit set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

2020: Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

In 2020, IRGC general Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by the US, leading to heightened tensions and Iranian retaliation against US airbases in Iraq.

January 2021: Social media platforms blocked

Since January 2021, Iranian authorities have blocked a list of social media platforms; Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube.

2021: Raisi elected president

In 2021, Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi was elected president, succeeding Hassan Rouhani.

2021: Iran and China sign 25-year cooperation agreement

In 2021, Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement, strengthening relations with "political, strategic and economic" components.

2021: Increase in military spending

In 2021, Iran's military spending increased for the first time in four years, reaching $24.6 billion, which accounted for 2.3% of the national GDP.

2021: Iranian tourism expenditure

In 2021, Iranian tourists spent $33 billion on domestic tourism.

August 2022: Russia launches Iranian satellite

In August 2022, Russia launched an Iranian remote-sensing, Khayyam satellite, into orbit from Kazakhstan.

September 2022: Protests after Mahsa Amini's death

Further protests against the government began on 16 September 2022 after Mahsa Amini died in police custody following her arrest by the Guidance Patrol.

2022: UN experts urge Iran to stop "systematic persecution" of religious minorities

A group of UN experts in 2022 urged Iran to stop "systematic persecution" of religious minorities, adding that members of the Baháʼí Faith were arrested, barred from universities, or had their homes demolished.

2022: Iran's ranking in The Economist Democracy Index

In 2022, Iran ranked 154th in The Economist Democracy Index, highlighting its political system's challenges.

2022: State subsidies

In 2022, Iran's state subsidies, including those for foodstuffs and petrol, totalled $100 billion for energy alone.

2022: Iran's unemployment rate

In 2022, Iran's unemployment rate was 9%.

2022: Tourism's share of the economy

In 2022, tourism expanded its share to 5% of Iran's economy.

February 2023: Iran's population reaches 85 million

By February 2023, Iran's population had grown to approximately 85 million.

November 2023: Iran's Uranium Enrichment

As of November 2023, Iran had uranium enriched to up to 60% fissile content, close to weapon grade.

November 2023: Iran finalizes arrangements to acquire Russian aircraft and missile systems

In November 2023, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) finalized arrangements to acquire Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, air defence and missile systems.

2023: Iran's crude oil production in 2023

As of 2023, Iran produced 4% of the world's crude oil (3.6 million barrels per day), generating US$36 billion in export revenue.

2023: Iran's car manufacturing output in 2023

In 2023, Iran produced 1.188 million cars, marking a 12% growth compared to the previous year. This achievement ranks Iran 16th globally in car manufacturing, surpassing the UK, Italy, and Russia.

2023: Growth in tourism

In 2023, Iran's tourism experienced a growth of 43%, attracting 6 million foreign tourists, and the government ended visa requirements for 60 countries.

2023: West Asian tourism growth

In the first seven months of 2023, travellers from other West Asian countries to Iran grew by 31%, surpassing Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, indicating Iran's growing appeal as a tourist destination.

2023: Iran's high retraction rates

Media reports from 2023 indicate that Iran continues to rank among the countries with the highest retraction rates of publications.

January 2024: Iran launches Soraya satellite

In January 2024, Iran launched the Soraya satellite into its highest orbit yet (750 km) using the Qaem 100 rocket, and successfully launched 3 indigenous satellites, The Mahda, Kayan and Hatef, into orbit using the Simorgh carrier rocket.

February 2024: Launch of Pars 1 satellite

In February 2024, Iran launched its domestically developed imaging satellite, Pars 1, from Russia into orbit.

April 2024: Attack on Iranian Consulate

In April 2024, Israel airstrikes on an Iranian consulate, killing an IRGC commander. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks.

April 2024: NIOC discovers shale oil deposits

In April 2024, the NIOC (National Iranian Oil Company) discovered 10 giant shale oil deposits, totaling 2.6 billion barrels.

May 2024: Death of President Raisi

In May 2024, President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash.

October 2024: Iran launches missiles at Israel

On 1 October 2024, Iran launched about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah and Abbas Nilforoushan. On 27 October, Israel responded to that attack by strikes on a missile defence system in the Iranian region of Isfahan.

December 2024: Setback for Iran's political influence in the region

In December 2024, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, a close ally of Iran, was a severe setback for the political influence of Iran in the region.

2024: Iran's economy

As of 2024, Iran has the world's 19th largest economy (by PPP), characterized by a mixture of central planning, state ownership, village agriculture, and small-scale private ventures.

2024: Energy crisis in Iran

Despite being an energy superpower as of 2024-2025, Iran suffers from an energy crisis, manifested by many power outages.

2024: Iran's Global Innovation Index ranking

In 2024, Iran was ranked 64th in the Global Innovation Index.

February 2025: Report on parallel regimes in Iran

In February 2025, The New York Times reported that according to Karim Sadjadpour, there exist two parallel regimes in Iran: one controlled by military and intelligence forces reporting to the Rahbar, and another consisting of diplomats and politicians who engage with Western media and have limited knowledge of Iran's nuclear program.