Iranian Revolution (jan 7, 1978 – feb 11, 1979)

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The Iranian revolution, also known as the 1979 revolution or Islamic revolution of 1979, was a series of events that led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979. The revolution replaced the Imperial State of Iran by the present-day Islamic Republic of Iran, with the monarchical government of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi being replaced by theocratic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. This marked the end of Iran's historical monarchy.

Pahlavi aligned Iran with the Western Bloc and maintained a close relationship with the US to consolidate his power. He remained the Shah of Iran for 26 years, relying heavily on American support during the Cold War. In 1963, Pahlavi implemented the White Revolution, which led to Khomeini's exile in 1964. However, ideological tensions between Pahlavi and Khomeini led to anti-government demonstrations in October 1977, which developed into a campaign of civil resistance.

In August 1978, the Cinema Rex fire, orchestrated by Islamic militants, served as a catalyst for a popular revolutionary movement across Iran. On January 16, 1979, Pahlavi went into exile as the last Iranian monarch, leaving his duties to Iran's Regency Council and Shapour Bakhtiar. On February 1, 1979, Khomeini returned to Tehran, and by February 11, the monarchy was brought down. Following the March 1979 Islamic Republic referendum, 98% approved the shift to an Islamic republic, and Khomeini emerged as the Supreme Leader of Iran in December 1979.

The revolution was met with surprise worldwide due to its unusual causes, such as a massive exile, and its focus on an anti-Western Islamic republic straddling between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Post-revolutionary Iran aimed to undermine Sunni leaders in the region by supporting Shi'ite political ascendancy and exporting Khomeinist doctrines abroad.

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