Biography
Protests against the Pahlavi monarchy swelled through 1978. Khomeini returned in February 1979. A referendum created an Islamic republic. A long war with Iraq began in 1980.
Middle East · 1951–1990
RK
Primary revolution
Ruhollah Khomeini
Iranian Revolution
Exiled cleric who led the mass revolution that replaced the Shah with an Islamic republic.
Life
1902–1989
1902–1989
Place
Tehran, Iran
Tehran, Iran
Years
1978–1979
1978–1979
Map
35.6892, 51.389
35.6892, 51.389
Revolution
Theme. Islamic republic · Anti-monarchy
Key figures. Ali Khamenei
Outcome. The monarchy was replaced by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Casualties. Street clashes killed thousands. The war with Iraq killed hundreds of thousands.
Influence. Showed that a modern revolution could be led in a religious register.