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In a dramatic turn of events, Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh was ousted in a coup orchestrated by the UK and supported by the US, primarily to safeguard British oil interests.
This upheaval paved the way for the monarchy, led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to consolidate power, though it also fueled growing resentment towards the US and UK among Iranians.
Despite his strengthened position, the shah’s rule became increasingly unpopular, culminating in his overthrow during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. This movement led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini taking the helm as its supreme leader.
Following the revolution, the Islamic Republic imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, marking a significant shift in the country’s social policies.
Ali Khamenei, who later rose to become the president of Iran, took office under dramatic circumstances, wearing a sling due to a paralyzed right arm from a failed assassination attempt in 198.
Khomeini dies. Khamenei replaces him, becoming Iran’s second supreme leader.
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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