Timeline of Iran in the 21st Century
Timeline of Iran in the 21st Century
1901-06: beginning of oil diplomacy
British
discover oil in northern Iran and begin to gain concession for
exploitation, refining, and transporting of the crude worldwide. After
receiving 12,000 thousand pounds sterling and a cut of the profits,
Muzaffer al-Din Shah grants the right.
Iranians, questioning the
legitimacy of the agreement, demand an assembly to examine the
document. They also demand a constitution according to which similar
decisions can only be reached in a public forum. When 14,000 thousand
protesters occupy the British legation, the Muzaffer grants a
constitution.
1911: last Qajar shah
His eleven-year-old
son, Ahmad Shah, replaces Muhammad Ali. The parliament is restored. An
Anglo Persian oil company is formed. Iran is divided into british
(south) and Russian (north) spheres of influence. A refinery at Abidon
is completed.
1919: Majles refuses to ratify agreement
The
Majles refuses to ratify the Anglo-Persian oil-exploitation agreement.
Muhammad Mussadiq, vociferous defender of Iranian rights, is expelled.
1939-41:large scale immigration form Russia to Iran
Large
numbers of white Russians, persuade by the red army, immigrate to Iran.
Iran announces neutrality in World War II; allies invade Iran.
1946: Iran asks UN for help
Iran
appeals to the United Nations Security Council against soviet
aggression in Azerbajan and Kurdistan. The UN agrees to protect Iran’s
right.
1961: Iran freedom party formed mehdi bazergon forms the Iran freedom party as a counterweight against the tudeh party.
1972 May: Nixon visits Tehran
At
Tehran University, Richard Nixon is met with a silent protest staged by
students. The shah agrees to protect U.S. interests in the Middle East
in exchange for arms; Iranian military purchases reach $519 million.
1977: Iran – us relations at peak
Irans’
military purchases reach $5.8 billion. Over seven thousand Americans
work in more than 30 Para-military organizations in Iran. Bell
international, Hughes aircraft, computer Sciences Corporation, Harsco,
trw, Rockwell international, gte, Lockheed, and Harris Corporation top
the list.
The stakes are high, yet the us government
views the Iran-us relations with optimism. Even though 8500 Iranians,
define mace and tear gas, demonstrate outside the white house in which
president carter entertains the shah. Us president carter visits Iran
in December and calls Iran an island of stability in a sea of troubles.
Toasting the shah on New Year’s Eve he says, “your majesty, your view of
human rights and mine are the same.”