History of Iran in Timeline

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (also known as Persia), is a West Asian country bordering several nations and bodies of water. Its neighbors include Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is bordered to the north by the Caspian Sea, and to the south by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. With a population exceeding 90 million, Iran is the 17th largest country in the world by both population and area. It consists of 31 provinces divided into five regions. Tehran is its capital and largest city, serving as Iran's financial hub.

1905: Persian Constitutional Revolution began

The Persian Constitutional Revolution began in 1905.

1911: End of Persian Constitutional Revolution

In 1911 the Persian Constitutional Revolution ended and an Iranian parliament was established.

1921: Coup d'état

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

1925: Pahlavi dynasty established

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

1925: Mandatory military service in Iran

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

1928: Establishment of New 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.

1933: Tehran Symphony Orchestra Founded

In 1933, the Tehran Symphony Orchestra was founded.

1935: Official request to use "Iran"

In 1935, during an international gathering for Nowruz, Reza Shah Pahlavi officially requested that foreign delegates begin using the endonym "Iran" in formal correspondence.

August 1941: Anglo-Soviet invasion

In August 1941, the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran occurred in response to Iran's rejection of demands to expel German residents.

1941: Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran

Following the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi rose to power.

1941: Reza Shah Abdicates

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

1943: Tehran Conference

At the 1943 Tehran Conference, the Allied "Big Three" issued the Tehran Declaration to guarantee the post-war independence and boundaries of Iran.

1947: National Olympic Committee Founded

Iran's National Olympic Committee was founded in 1947.

1949: Establishment of School of National Music

By the late 1940s, Ruhollah Khaleqi founded the country's first national music society and established the School of National Music in 1949.

1949: Opening of Apadana Gallery

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

1950: Urban growth

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

1951: Nationalization of oil industry

In 1951, the Iranian parliament voted to nationalize the British-owned oil industry, leading to the Abadan Crisis.

1952: Mosaddegh briefly removed from power

In 1952, Mosaddegh was removed from power but quickly re-appointed by the Shah, due to a popular uprising in support of the premier.

1952: Government control of commercial fishing

In 1952, the Iranian government assumed control of commercial fishing.

August 1953: Failed military coup and Shah's exile

In August 1953, Mosaddegh forced the Shah into a brief exile after a failed military coup by Imperial Guard Colonel Nematollah Nassiri.

1953: Anglo-American coup

In 1953, an Anglo-American coup took place following attempts by Mohammad Mosaddegh to nationalize the oil industry.

1956: Population of Iran

In 1956, the population of Iran was about 19 million.

1959: Both "Persia" and "Iran" appropriate

In 1959, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi announced that it was appropriate to use both "Persia" and "Iran" in formal correspondence.

1960: Co-invention of the first gas laser

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

1974: Iran Hosts Asian Games

In 1974, Iran became the first country in West Asia to host the Asian Games.

1976: Increase in inland water fishing production

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

1978: Shah became unpopular

By 1978, the Shah had become wildly unpopular among the Iranian people, leading to daily demonstrations and the establishment of martial law, culminating in Black Friday.

March 1979: Referendum on Islamic republic

On 31 March 1979, a referendum was approved by a massive margin of 99.31% to transition from a monarchy to an Islamic republic.

November 1979: US embassy seized

On 4 November 1979, Iranian students seized US embassy personnel, holding 52 hostages.

December 1979: Khomeini became Supreme Leader

In December 1979, Khomeini became Supreme Leader after an assembly was created to draft the new theocratic constitution.

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: Iraq invaded Iran

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

1980: Iraq invaded Iran

In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, sparking the eight-year-long Iran–Iraq War.

January 1981: Hostage release

In January 1981, the 52 hostages that were captured on November 4th 1979 were released after being held for 444 days.

1981: UN investigation concludes Iran committed genocide

In 2024, a UN Special Rapporteur investigation concluded that Iran committed genocide against its political and religious minorities during 1981–1982 massacres and 1988 mass executions.

1982: Iranian forces pushed Iraqi army back

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

1982: Formation of Hezbollah in Lebanon

In 1982, Iran established Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of its network of state and non-state actors to expand its regional influence.

1982: UN investigation concludes Iran committed genocide

In 2024, a UN Special Rapporteur investigation concluded that Iran committed genocide against its political and religious minorities during 1981–1982 massacres and 1988 mass executions.

1988: Iran–Iraq War ended in a stalemate

In 1988, Khomeini accepted a truce mediated by the UN, ending the Iran–Iraq War in a stalemate.

1988: UN investigation concludes Iran committed genocide

In 2024, a UN Special Rapporteur investigation concluded that Iran committed genocide against its political and religious minorities during 1981–1982 massacres and 1988 mass executions.

1989: Formation of the Supreme National Security Council

During the 1989 Iranian constitutional referendum, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) was formed to protect and support national interests, the revolution, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty.

1989: Khamenei became Supreme Leader

In 1989, Khomeini appointed a Constitutional Reform Council which named Ali Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader.

1991: Israel was directly attacked by a state

In 1991 was the first time since the Gulf War that Israel was directly attacked by a state, until Iran's first ever direct attack in April 2024.

1996: Increase in publication output

Iran increased its publication output nearly tenfold from 1996 through 2004.

1997: Khatami succeeded Rafsanjani

In 1997, Mohammad Khatami succeeded Akbar Rafsanjani as president.

2000: End of Kura-Araxes culture

Around 2000 BC, the Kura–Araxes culture, which existed in northwestern Iran and the Caucasus, came to an end.

2000: Juan José Linz's observation on Iranian regime

In 2000, Juan José Linz wrote that the Iranian regime combines the ideological bent of totalitarianism with the limited pluralism of authoritarianism.

2001: Export of technical and engineering services

From 2001 to 2011, Iran exported over $20 billion worth of technical and engineering services.

2002: Urban growth

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

2003: US invasion of Iraq and Iranian influence

After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iran shaped Iraq's politics and financed and trained militia groups in Iraq.

2003: US invasion of Iraq impact

Following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iran built strong alliances and footholds beyond its borders due to the instability in the region.

2003: Bam earthquake

In 2003, Iran experienced a devastating, shallow-focus earthquake in Bam. Shallow-focus earthquakes in Iran can be very devastating.

2003: Population Estimate

In 2003, an estimated 51% of Iran's population was Persian, 24% Azerbaijani, 8% Gilak and Mazanderani, 7% Kurd, 3% Arab, 2% Lur, 2% Balochi, 2% Turkmen, and 1% other groups.

2004: Increase in inland water fishing production

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

2004: Opening of wind-powered and geothermal plants

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

2004: Increase in publication output

Iran increased its publication output nearly tenfold from 1996 through 2004.

2004: Start of Yemen's civil war

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

2004: Establishment of the Iranian Space Agency

The Iranian Space Agency was established in 2004.

2005: Lut Desert temperature record

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

2005: Ahmadinejad elected president

The 2005 presidential election brought Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.

2006: Cloning of a sheep

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

2006: Israel-Hezbollah War

The 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War and Hezbollah's symbolic victory elevated Iran's influence in the Levant and strengthened its appeal across the Muslim world.

2006: Disputed election results

The 2006 election results were widely disputed, resulting in protests.

2007: Asian Championships

Since 2007, the men's national basketball team has won three Asian Championships.

2008: Leap in industrial production growth rate

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

2008: Library of Congress Estimates

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

2009: Facebook Blocked in Iran

Direct access to many worldwide mainstream websites, including Facebook, has been blocked in Iran since 2009.

2009: Leap in industrial production growth rate

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

2009: Iran becomes orbital-launch-capable nation

In 2009, Iran became an orbital-launch-capable nation and a founding member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Iran also placed its domestically built satellite Omid into orbit using its first expendable launch vehicle Safir.

2009: First solar thermal plant

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

2010: Government's goal of installed capacity

By 2010 the government's goal was to reach 53 GW of installed capacity.

2010: Economic reform plan initiated

In 2010, Iran's economic reform plan aimed to gradually cut subsidies and replace them with targeted social assistance, moving towards free market prices and increased productivity.

2010: Carpet Weaving Inscribed 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 Sorena 2 humanoid robot

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

2010: Introduction of national basic income

In Autumn 2010, Iran became the first country to introduce a national basic income.

2011: First nuclear power plant goes online

In 2011, Iran's first nuclear power plant went online.

2011: Iranian companies carrying out projects abroad

In 2011, approximately 66 Iranian industrial companies were involved in projects across 27 countries.

2011: Asian Men's Volleyball Championships

Iran's men's national volleyball team won the 2011 Asian Men's Volleyball Championships.

2011: World Factbook Figures

The World Factbook in 2011 provided the same population figures as the 2003 estimate: 51% Persian, 24% Azerbaijani, 8% Gilak and Mazanderani, 7% Kurd, 3% Arab, 2% Lur, 2% Balochi, 2% Turkmen, and 1% other groups.

2012: SCImago study on research output

According to a 2012 study by SCImago, Iran was projected to rank fourth in research output by 2018 if trends continued.

2013: Rouhani elected president

In 2013, Hassan Rouhani was elected president.

2013: Setad valuation

In 2013, the Setad, a state-owned enterprise under the Rahbar, was valued at $95 billion, with accounts kept secret even from the parliament.

2013: Asian Men's Volleyball Championships

Iran's men's national volleyball team won the 2013 Asian Men's Volleyball Championships.

2014: Iranian linked companies operate 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 worth around $9 billion before COVID-19.

2014: Instability in Yemen

From 2014 onward, the instability in Yemen allowed Iran to build strong alliances and footholds beyond its borders.

2014: Maryam Mirzakhani receives the Fields Medal

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

2015: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement

In 2015, Iran and the P5+1 agreed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aiming to end economic sanctions in exchange for restrictions on 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 at 90% and women at 81%.

2016: Launch of Simorgh

In 2016, Iran launched Simorgh, which is the successor of Safir.

2016: Health Insurance Coverage

In 2016, approximately 90% of Iranians had health insurance.

2017: Raisi lost presidential bid

In 2017, Ebrahim Raisi lost a presidential bid.

2017: Iranian protests

The 2017–18 Iranian protests swept across the country in response to the economic and political situation, leading to thousands of arrests.

2018: SCImago study on research output

According to a 2012 study by SCImago, Iran was projected to rank fourth in research output by 2018 if trends continued.

2018: Population growth rate

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

2018: US withdrew from JCPOA

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

2019: Study on 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: Museum Visits

Around 25 million people visited museums in Iran in 2019.

2019: Discovery of southern oil field

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

2019: Tourism growth before the pandemic

In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran's tourism sector experienced rapid growth, attracting nearly 9 million foreign visitors and becoming the world's third fastest-growing tourism destination.

2019: Vank Cathedral Registered as World Heritage Site

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

2019: US designates IRGC as terrorist organization

In 2019, the United States under President Donald Trump officially labeled the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization.

2019: Iranian protests over fuel prices

The 2019–20 Iranian protests started on 15 November in Ahvaz, spreading across the country after the government announced increases in fuel prices of up to 300%. A week-long total Internet shutdown marked one of the most severe Internet blackouts in any country, and the bloodiest governmental crackdown of the protestors.

January 2020: Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 shootdown

In January 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, en route from Tehran to Kyiv, was shot down by the IRGC shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of all 176 passengers and crew. The Iranian government later admitted to the shootdown, attributing it to "human error".

2020: Mobile internet usage in Iran

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

2020: Iran ceases JCPOA limits

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

2020: Qasem Soleimani assassinated

In 2020, IRGC general Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by the US.

January 2021: Authorities block social media platforms

Since January 2021, Iranian authorities have blocked several social media platforms as part of strict internet censorship policies.

2021: Raisi won presidential bid

In 2021, Ebrahim Raisi ran again and won the presidential bid, succeeding Rouhani.

2021: Iran-China 25-year cooperation agreement

In 2021, Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement to strengthen political, strategic and economic relations between the two countries.

2021: Increase in Iran's military spending

In 2021, Iran's military spending increased for the first time in four years, reaching $24.6 billion, which is 2.3% of the national GDP. Funding for the IRGC accounted for 34% of Iran's total military spending in 2021.

2021: Domestic tourism spending

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 satellite, Khayyam, into orbit from Kazakhstan.

September 2022: Protests after Mahsa Amini's death

In September 2022, protests erupted in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody after being arrested by the Guidance Patrol, also known as the "morality police". The United Nations described the government crackdown on these protests as crimes against humanity.

2022: Large state subsidies in Iran

In 2022, Iran faced chronic budget deficits due to large state subsidies, particularly for foodstuffs and energy, which totaled $100 billion for energy alone.

2022: Iran supported the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, Iran supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine and restored relations with Saudi Arabia.

2022: Tourism's share of the economy expands

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

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

In 2022, a group of UN experts urged Iran to stop "systematic persecution" of religious minorities, noting arrests, university bans, and home demolitions targeting members of the Baháʼí Faith.

2022: Unemployment rate in Iran

In 2022, the unemployment rate in Iran was 9%.

February 2023: Population of Iran

As of February 2023, the population of Iran was about 85 million.

November 2023: Iran's uranium enrichment status

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

November 2023: Iran finalizes deal for Russian military equipment

In November 2023, the IRIAF finalized arrangements to acquire Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, air defense and missile systems.

2023: Oil production

As of 2023, Iran produced 4% of the world's crude oil, generating US$36 billion in export revenue.

2023: Tourism growth and visa policy changes

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

2023: Growth in travelers from West Asian countries

In the first seven months of 2023, travelers from other West Asian countries visiting Iran grew by 31%.

2023: Reports on retraction rates

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

2023: Weakening of Iran's allies

Since 2023, the weakening of Iran's key allies and proxies left Iran's government weakened and isolated.

January 2024: Launch of Soraya satellite

In January 2024, Iran launched the Soraya satellite into its highest orbit yet (750 km) using the Qaem 100 rocket. Iran also 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: Israeli airstrike on Iranian consulate

In April 2024, the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus killed an IRGC commander.

April 2024: Discovery of shale oil deposits

In April 2024, the NIOC discovered 10 giant shale oil deposits in Iran, totaling 2.6 billion barrels.

May 2024: Raisi killed in helicopter crash

In May 2024, Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, and Iran held a presidential election, when Masoud Pezeshkian was elected.

December 2024: Setback to Iran's political influence in Syria

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 in 2024

As of 2024, Iran's economy is the 19th largest globally by PPP, characterized by a mix of central planning, state ownership (particularly in oil), agriculture, and private ventures. Services contribute the most to the GDP followed by industry and agriculture. Iran is an energy superpower with 10% of the world's oil and 15% of gas reserves.

2024: Energy Crisis

As of 2024-2025 Iran suffers from an energy crisis, manifested by many power outages.

2024: Iran's Electoral Democracy Ranking

In 2024, Iran was ranked 158th in electoral democracy according to V-Dem Democracy Indices and was an electoral autocracy in the Regimes of the World classification.

2024: Global car manufacturing ranking

In 2024, Iran was ranked 16th in global car manufacturing, ahead of countries such as the UK, Italy, and Russia.

2024: UN investigation concludes Iran committed genocide

In 2024, a UN Special Rapporteur investigation concluded that Iran committed genocide against its political and religious minorities during 1981–1982 massacres and 1988 mass executions.

January 2025: FIVB World Rankings

As of January 2025, the men's national volleyball team is the 2nd strongest in Asia, and 15th in the FIVB World Rankings.

February 2025: Report on parallel systems in Iran

In February 2025, The New York Times reported on the existence of two parallel systems in Iran: one ruled by the military and intelligence forces reporting to the Rahbar, and another ruled by diplomats and politicians.

April 2025: FIFA World Rankings

As of April 2025, the men's national football team ranks 2nd in Asia and 18th in the FIFA World Rankings.

May 2025: Mass deportation of Afghan migrants

In May 2025, Iran's government ordered mass deportation of an estimated 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees living in Iran.

June 2025: Israel launched strikes across Iran

On 13 June 2025, Israel launched strikes across Iran, targeting nuclear facilities. On 22 June, the US struck the Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran attacked US bases in Qatar. On 24 June, Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire after insistence from the US.

December 2025: Potentially largest protests since 1979

In late December 2025, potentially the largest protests since 1979 erupted in Iran, amid a growing economic crisis.

December 2025: Mass demonstrations across cities

Since December 2025, Iran has experienced mass demonstrations across cities calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, sparked by frustration over the economic crisis.