-
With political tensions rising. The Shah and his family are forced into exile.
-
Students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The hostage crisis lasted 444 days. On Nov. 12, Washington cut off oil imports from Iran and ordered a freeze on an estimated $6 billion of Iranian assets and official bank deposits in the United States.
-
The United States cut off diplomatic relations with Iran.
-
Start of Iran-Iraq war which lasts for eight years.
-
The United States attempted a rescue mission of the American hostages during Operation Eagle Claw. The mission failed due to a sandstorm and eight American servicemen were killed.
-
After the US and Soviet Union halted arms supplies, the US attempted to win the release of hostages in Lebanon by offering secret arms deals
-
Iran accepts a ceasefire agreement with Iraq following negotiations in Geneva under the aegis of the UN.
-
US imposes oil and trade sanctions over Iran seeking to acquire nuclear arms and hostility to the Middle East process.
-
Mohammad Khatami wins the presidential election with 70% of the vote, beating the conservative ruling elite
-
President Khatami is back for a 2nd term
-
President George Bush describes Iraq as an "axis of evil".The speech causes outrage in Iran and is condemned by reformists and conservatives alike.
-
UN Security Council votes to impose sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology. Iran condemns the resolution
-
USA announces sweeping new sanctions against Iran, the toughest since it first imposed sanctions almost 30 years ago.
-
The country test-fires a series of medium- and longer-range missiles that put Israel and US bases in the Gulf within potential striking range.
-
European Union boycott of Iranian oil exports comes into effect and the Iranian currency frops in value
