Chronicle

Islamic Revolution was triumphed in February 11, 1979 after passing through ebbs and flows of developments. But the period after Muhammad Reza Pahlavi fled Iran in January 16, 1979 witnessed a quick pace of developments leading to the eventual victory of the revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The following is a day to day account of those events leading to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

January 16, 1979 (Day 26, 1357)

-Despotic ruler of Iran, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi fled the country and people saw themselves at last free from a 50-year spell of despotism started by the Pahlavi regime in Iran.

January 23, 1979 (Bahman 3, 1357)

-The regency council established to guard Pahlavi regime was dissolved.

January 24, 1979 (Bahman 4, 1357)

-The army occupied the International Mehrabad Airport to prevent the arrival of Imam Khomeini (PBUH) from exile

January 25, 1979 (Bahman 5, 1357)

- Shapour Bakhtiyar, the then Pahlavi-installed premier closed all airports around the country for three days.

January 27, 1979 (Bahman 7, 1357)

- Activist Alims held a sit-in in Tehran University campus in protest to the closure of airports.

- Millions of Iranians demonstrated around the country to remind the sad anniversary of the sorrowful death of the Noblest Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

January 29, 1979 (Bahman 9, 1357)

- Following the massive protests of the nation to the Bakhtiyar's measure in closing the airports, the International Mehrabad Airport reopened.

January 31, 1979 (Bahman 11, 1357)

-In a futile effort to intimidate people, the army staged a parade in Tehran. They also spread rumors that a coup might take place. But all of their efforts to divert the struggles of the nation were doomed to failure. The nation stood course

February 1, 1979 (Bahman 12, 1357)
return of ayatollah khomeini to iran

- In the day the world witnessed one of the key events of the 20th century. Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (PBUH) returned home after 15 years of exile and launched the Islamic revolution that changed the balance of power in the Middle East and humiliated America.

Imam Khomeini was greeted by millions of Iranians. From the airport, the late Imam immediately proceeded to Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery where he delivered the historic speech.

The unprecedented welcome given to Imam by the people of Iran was so huge and unequivocal that Western news agencies had no alternative but to recognize it for what it was; they put the figure of those attending at four to six million.

February 6, 1979 (Bahman 17, 1357)

- At a proposal made by the Revolutionary Council, Imam Khomeini (PBUH) introduced an interim government. Mehdi Bazargan was appointed the head of the interim government.

February 8, 1979 (Bahman 19, 1357)

- Air force personnel went to the Alavi school in Tehran, where Imam Khomeini was staying, to pledge their allegiance to him.

-Iranian nation held a rally in support of the interim government.

February 9, 1979 (Bahman 20, 1357)

- Soldiers from the Imperial Guard were dispatched to one of the most important air force bases in Tehran to quash a revolt by air force technicians (Homafars) there.

- The people were armed and entered the arena to support the revolutionary forces.

February 10, 1979 (Bahman 21, 1357)

- Tehran's Military Command issued a proclamation extending curfew hours from 4 o'clock in the afternoon so that the Shah's government, with the help of the American military advisers stationed in Tehran, could implement a prearranged plan for a coup d'état.

In a message, Imam Khomeini (PBUH) called on the people of Tehran to take to streets to prevent the impending plot from being carried out and to nullify martial law.

Heavy clashes occurred among people and the Special Guard forces.

Police stations and government centers fell into the hands of the people one after the other.

February 11, 1979 (Bahman 22, 1357)

Men and women, young and old, flooded the streets and built street barricades. As soon as the first tanks and armored personnel carriers of the coup d'état group left their bases, they were immobilized by the people and the coup d'état was defeated at its very onset.
flag of iran

In this way, the final posts of the Shah's regime were dismantled and the sun of victory shined over the Islamic Revolution with the dawn of February 11, 1979 (Bahman 22, 1357).