Iran's History

By thomasanderson
  • Jan 1, 636

    Islamic Rule

    Arab invasion brings end of Sasanian dynasty and start of Islamic rule.
  • Jan 1, 1501

    Shah Ismail

    Shah Ismail I becomes first ruler of Islamic Safavid dynasty; Shi'i Islam declared state religion

  • Nadir Shah

    Nadir Shah becomes monarch; end of Safavid dynasty.

  • Constitution

    Introduction of constitution which limits the absolutist powers of rulers.

  • Persia

    Formerly known as Persia, Iran is adopted as the country's official name.

  • Shah

    The exiled Shah dies of cancer in Egypt.

  • EarthQuake

    40,000 people are killed in an earthquake in south-east Iran; the city of Bam is devastated.

  • Nuclear

    Iran admits that it is building a uranium enrichment plant near Qom, but insists it is for peaceful purposes.

  • Iraq War

    Start of Iran-Iraq war which lasts for eight years.