Iran Pre-Islamic Regime

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The history of Iran and Persia spans several thousand years, with multiple dynasties, empires, and kingdoms rising and falling. Here is an outline of some of the most significant events and periods in Iranian and Persian history:

 8000 BCE – 550 BCE

Prehistory and Ancient Times

• The earliest known civilization in Iran was the Elamite civilization, which emerged around 3000 BCE.
• The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, became the first Persian empire in 550 BCE and ruled over much of the ancient world for over two centuries.
• Other significant empires and kingdoms during this period include the Parthians, the Seleucids, and the Medes.

550 BCE – 1258 CE

Islamic Conquest and Early Islamic Period

• In 637 CE, Arab Muslim armies conquered Persia, bringing Islam to the region and ending the Sassanid Empire.
• During the early Islamic period, Persian culture and identity continued to thrive, and many Persian scholars, artists, and poets made significant contributions to Islamic civilization.
• The Samanid Empire, the Ghaznavid Empire, and the Seljuk Empire were all Persianate empires that ruled over parts of Iran and Central Asia during this period.

 1501-1736

Safavid Dynasty

• The Safavid dynasty rose to power in the early 16th century and established Shi'a Islam as the official state religion of Iran.
• The Safavids are known for their patronage of the arts and for their military campaigns against the Ottomans and other neighboring empires.
• The Safavid dynasty ended in 1736, after a series of weak rulers and declining economic conditions.

1794-1925

Qajar Dynasty

• The Qajar dynasty was founded in 1794 and ruled over Iran for over a century.
• During this period, Iran faced increasing pressure from European powers, who sought to exploit its natural resources and influence its politics.
• In 1906, a constitutional revolution established a limited constitutional monarchy in Iran, but political instability continued.

 1925-1979

Pahlavi Dynasty

• The Pahlavi dynasty was founded in 1925 by Reza Shah Pahlavi, who sought to modernize and secularize Iran. The Pahlavi dynasty was later ruled by his son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. 
• The Pahlavis implemented a range of reforms, including the introduction of modern education, infrastructure, and industrialization.
• Iran was a free democratic country and women and men had equal rights. Some examples include access to education, the right to vote, and presence in the workforce. 
• The Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution, which established an Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini.

 1979-present

Islamic Republic

• Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Iran has been led by a series of Supreme Leaders which begun the downfall of the country.
• The Regime stripped women of their rights and the economy fell. 
• The Islamic regime continuously brutalizes women, children, religious minorities, ethnic minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.  

2022

Islamic Republic

• Iran’s morality police arrested a 22-year-old girl named Mahsa Amini for allegedly wearing her hijab (head covering) incorrectly. While in police custody, she was severely beaten and died shortly after in the hospital. 
• The people of Iran began protesting in large numbers throughout the country, in response to this murder committed by the morality policy who are controlled and set in place by the Islamic Regime (Iran’s government). 
• The Islamic Regime responded to these protests by both killing and detaining the Iranian people.  

2023

Islamic Republic

• As of January 2023, at least 522 people, including 70 children, have been murdered by the Islamic Regime. 
• More than 20,000 people have been detained for protesting against the Islamic Regime. These numbers are likely far higher as many Iranians have also been reported missing, or were likely unreported at all. 
• Children are being murdered in the streets and young girls are being poisoned through gas in the air at their schools as retaliation for the protests. 
• The Iranian people continue to protest for a complete revolution in Iran.