What Happened to Iran?
From a Prosperous Nation to 45 Years of Oppression
In 1979, the Iranian people sought freedom and democracy. What they got was one of the most brutal theocratic regimes in modern history. This timeline documents the systematic oppression, massacres, and human rights violations that have defined the Islamic Republic.
The timeline below documents verified events from 1979 to present. Each event is corroborated by credible international sources including human rights organizations and investigative journalism.
24 events in Iran's history
Khomeini's Return to Iran
Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile in France after 15 years, where he had been financially and logistically supported by the French government under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. On his Air France flight to Tehran, when asked how he felt about returning to Iran, Khomeini coldly replied 'Nothing' (Hichi) - though his translator falsely claimed he declined to comment. This revealed the true nature of an Islamist occupier, not a leader returning to his homeland. He was welcomed by millions deceived by false promises of democracy and freedom. Within weeks, the monarchy fell and the Islamists seized power.
Source: Historical records, French government documents
Islamic Republic Referendum
A rigged referendum was held with a biased question: "Islamic Republic - Yes or No" - not offering any alternative form of government. The ballots were color-coded (green for Yes, red for No), making votes easily identifiable. Armed men and regime supporters were stationed at voting centers, intimidating anyone who dared to vote No. Under these conditions, voting No required immense courage and put voters at risk of violence or persecution. The government claimed 98.2% approval - a fabricated figure designed to legitimize the Islamist takeover. Opposition groups and secular democrats were already being sidelined, arrested, or killed.
Source: Historical records, eyewitness accounts
US Embassy Hostage Crisis Begins
Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days. Khomeini endorsed the action, leading to decades of US-Iran hostility.
Source: Historical records
Mandatory Hijab Imposed
Women were ordered to wear hijab in government buildings. By 1981, mandatory hijab was enforced nationwide with brutal methods. Regime forces used pins and needles to forcibly pin hijabs onto women who resisted or fought back, causing injury and pain. Women who protested were labeled 'counter-revolutionary,' beaten in the streets, and faced arrest. This marked the beginning of 46 years of women's oppression, making Iran one of only two countries in the world (along with Afghanistan) with mandatory veiling laws.
Source: Government decree, historical records, survivor testimonies
Iran-Iraq War Begins
Iraq invaded Iran, starting an 8-year war that killed over 500,000 Iranians. Khomeini's threats to export the Islamic Revolution and destabilize the region motivated Saddam Hussein to launch the invasion. Despite multiple peace offers and international mediation, Khomeini rejected all ceasefire proposals, infamously declaring "the war is a blessing" and vowing to continue until the overthrow of Saddam. His refusal to accept peace extended the war by at least 6 years, paying with hundreds of thousands of Iranian lives. Child soldiers as young as 12 were sent to clear minefields with "keys to paradise" around their necks. The MEK (Mojahedin-e Khalq), now claiming to be opposition to the Islamic Republic, fought alongside Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army against their fellow Iranians during this war - a registered terrorist organization in several countries that promotes an Islamist-Marxist ideology arguably worse than the current regime.
Source: Historical records, UN documents
Mass Executions Begin (1981-1985)
Over 7,900 political prisoners were executed between 1981-1985, according to historian Ervand Abrahamian. Tragically, many of these victims - members of leftist groups like Tudeh (Communist Party), Fedaian (Marxist guerrillas), and other political factions - had been hand-in-hand with Khomeini during the 1979 revolution, helping him overthrow the Shah. They were deceived by Khomeini's false promises of democracy and pluralism. Once the Islamists consolidated power, they systematically eliminated their former revolutionary allies. Victims also included ethnic minorities (Kurds, Baluchis, Ahwazi Arabs) and anyone deemed 'counter-revolutionary.'
Source: Ervand Abrahamian, "Tortured Confessions"
US Embassy Bombing in Beirut
A suicide bomber attacked the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 63 people including 17 Americans. The attack was carried out by Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group founded, funded, and controlled by the Islamic Republic.
Source: Historical records, terrorism databases
1988 Prison Massacre
Khomeini ordered the execution of all political prisoners who refused to renounce their beliefs. Death commissions sentenced prisoners to death in minutes-long 'trials.' Over 5,000 were executed and buried in mass graves. Families were not notified.
Source: Amnesty International, eyewitness accounts
Khomeini's Death
Ayatollah Khomeini died. In a mafia-esque selection process behind closed doors, Ali Khamenei - who did not even hold the religious rank of Ayatollah at the time - was chosen as Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts. Khamenei himself had once famously said about his own inadequacy: 'We should be crying blood for a nation that would have me as their leader.' Despite this admission, the regime's inner circle installed him, and the oppressive policies not only continued but intensified under his rule.
Source: Historical records, Khamenei public speeches
AMIA Bombing in Buenos Aires
A suicide bomber attacked the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 85 people and injuring hundreds. Argentine courts formally accused Iran and Hezbollah of the attack. Interpol issued arrest warrants for Iranian officials.
Source: Argentine judicial investigation, Interpol
Chain Murders of Intellectuals
Between 1988-1998, Iranian intelligence agents systematically murdered over 80 dissidents, writers, and intellectuals in what became known as the "Chain Murders." Victims included translators, poets, and political activists. The murders were ordered by senior regime officials.
Source: Investigative reports, parliamentary inquiry
Student Protests (July 18th Movement)
Students protested the closure of the reformist newspaper Salam. Security forces and paramilitary Basij attacked dormitories, killing several students. This sparked nationwide protests lasting a week.
Source: Human rights reports
Green Movement Protests
Millions protested the fraudulent re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Neda Agha-Soltan, a young woman, was shot and became a symbol of the movement. The regime brutally suppressed protests with mass arrests, torture, and killings. Notably, the leaders of this movement - Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi - were themselves founding members of the Islamic Republic regime. Mousavi had served as Prime Minister during the 1980s mass executions, and Karroubi was a senior cleric who helped establish the system. Their calls for reform came from within the system, not from a desire for true democracy or regime change.
Source: Human rights organizations
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Dies
Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, once Khomeini's designated successor, died. He had become a vocal critic of the regime after condemning the 1988 prison massacres, for which he was removed from succession and placed under house arrest. Crucially, Montazeri - the highest-ranking cleric to oppose the regime - declared the Islamic Republic illegitimate from a religious standpoint, stating that its actions violated Islamic principles. This religious denunciation from such an authority devastated the regime's claim to Islamic legitimacy. His funeral turned into a massive protest against the regime, with mourners chanting anti-government slogans.
Source: Historical records, Montazeri's memoirs and fatwas
Storming of British Embassy in Tehran
Regime-backed Basij militia stormed the British Embassy in Tehran, ransacking offices and burning documents. The attack was orchestrated by the regime in response to British sanctions. Britain closed its embassy and expelled Iranian diplomats.
Source: News reports, diplomatic records
Protests of Dey 96
While triggered by economic conditions, these protests rapidly transformed into nationwide anti-regime demonstrations spreading to over 80 cities. The chants were explicitly political: "Death to Khamenei," "Death to Rouhani," "Death to the dictator," and "Leave Syria alone, think about us" - not a single economic demand was chanted. This revealed the true nature of Iranian discontent: rejection of the entire Islamic Republic system, not just economic grievances. At least 25 were killed and thousands arrested. This marked the beginning of sustained revolutionary momentum.
Source: Amnesty International
Bloody November (Aban 98)
Protests erupted over a 300% fuel price hike. The regime shut down the internet and massacred protesters. Reuters reported 1,500+ killed in just a few days. Security forces shot protesters from rooftops and helicopters.
Source: Reuters, Amnesty International
Flight PS752 Shot Down
IRGC shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew - many of them Iranian-Canadians. The regime lied and denied responsibility for 3 days, calling anyone who suggested they shot down the plane a "liar" and "enemy agent." Within hours of the crash, regime forces bulldozed and flattened the crash site to destroy evidence. Even more damning, to this day the Islamic Republic has refused to hand over the black box flight recorders to international aviation authorities or to Ukraine, the operator of the airline. No one has been held accountable. Families of victims were harassed, interrogated, and arrested when they demanded justice.
Source: International investigations, Canadian government reports
Mahsa Amini Murdered - Woman Life Freedom Movement Begins
Mahsa (Jina) Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, was arrested by morality police for "improper hijab" and died in custody after being beaten. Her death sparked the largest protests since 1979. The full revolutionary slogan was "Woman, Life, Freedom - Man, Country, Prosperity" (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi - Mard, Mihan, Abadi) - representing the aspirations of all Iranians, not just women. Over 500 protesters were killed, and thousands arrested. The regime responded with unprecedented brutality, including the execution of young protesters.
Source: Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Executions of Mohsen Shekari and Majidreza Rahnavard
Mohsen Shekari, 23, became the first protester executed in connection with the Woman Life Freedom protests on December 8. He was convicted of "waging war against God" in a sham trial lasting minutes. Just days later on December 12, Majidreza Rahnavard, also 23, was publicly hanged from a crane. In his powerful final words, Rahnavard rejected the Islamic ideology that had sentenced him to death, requesting that instead of Quran recitation at his funeral, people play music - a symbol of the life and joy the regime had stolen from Iran's youth. These executions of young men whose only "crime" was protesting sparked international outrage and demonstrated the regime's desperation.
Source: News reports, human rights organizations, family testimonies
The Cost of Terror: Billions Stolen from Iranians
While Iranians suffer from poverty, water shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and underfunded schools and hospitals, the Islamic Republic has spent an estimated $100+ billion funding terrorist organizations and proxy militias since 1979. Annual funding includes: Hezbollah (Lebanon) $700 million-$1 billion/year, Hamas (Palestine) $100 million/year, Houthis (Yemen) $100+ million/year, Iraqi militias (PMF/Hashd) $200+ million/year, and various Afghan and Pakistani groups. Additionally, the regime's secretive nuclear weapons program has cost tens of billions with zero benefit to ordinary Iranians - only international isolation and crippling sanctions. This money could have transformed Iran: building modern water systems for drought-stricken regions, world-class schools and universities, advanced hospitals and healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. Instead, it funded death and destruction across the Middle East while Iranians struggle to survive.
Source: US State Department, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, international research institutes
Iran Attacks Israel with Drones and Missiles
Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in direct retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria. Most were intercepted by Israeli and allied air defenses. This marked the first direct military attack by Iran on Israel - funded by money that could have been spent on Iranian citizens' welfare.
Source: International news, military reports
Record Executions in 2025
In 2025, the Islamic Republic executed at least 2,228 people - the highest number in decades. Victims included 64 women, 162 Baluch minorities, 115 Kurds, and 95 Afghan nationals. Most were executed for drug-related offenses, but political executions continued.
Source: Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO)
Iran National Revolution Begins
A new wave of nationwide protests began on December 28, 2025, marking the anniversary of the 2017 Dey protests. The demands are clear and unambiguous: complete regime change (what they DON'T want - the Islamic Republic) and the return of the Pahlavi dynasty (what they DO want - Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as their leader). Across all 31 provinces, crowds chant "Javid Shah" (Long Live the Shah), "Reza Shah, bless your soul," and call for the return of constitutional monarchy. The Islamic Republic responded with massacre - murdering over 20,000 Iranians in just 48 hours, the bloodiest crackdown in the regime's history. Despite this brutality, the revolution continues, representing the most sustained challenge to the Islamic Republic since its illegitimate founding in 1979.
Source: HRANA, Iran International, NUFDI