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Iranian RevolutionThe Iranian Revolution was a popular uprising that overthrew Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1979, ending millennia of monarchical rule in Iran. Mass protests, strikes, and demonstrations swept the country in 1978, culminating in the Shah's flight from Iran in January 1979. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a cleric who led resistance against the Shah's rule from exile, returned to Iran and quickly consolidated power. Within months, Iranians voted to establish an Islamic Republic, replacing the monarchy with a theocratic system of government based on Muslim clerical rule.
The Shah was unpopular for his harsh authoritarian rule and rapid Westernization, which many Iranians saw as a betrayal of their culture and religion. Resentment had been growing for decades—particularly since a 1953 CIA-backed coup removed Iran's constitutionally appointed prime minister and restored the Shah's absolute power.
The revolution established the world's first modern Islamic theocracy and intensified the rivalry between Shia Iran and Sunni Arab states, leading to proxy conflicts in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen that continue today. It also permanently severed relations with the United States, most notably during the 1979 hostage crisis. The regime has faced multiple phases of nationwide protests against what observers often call brutal crackdowns on dissent. Explore Iranian Revolution
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Beyond oil, the Iran war is pushing up costs on fertilizer, prescriptions, and mortgages, tooGas is up 27% since fighting began, but the Strait of Hormuz also carries a third of the world's fertilizer, petrochemicals used in generic drugs, and helium for semiconductor manufacturing. Mortgage rates have climbed back above 6.4%, and economists warn $130 oil could tip the U.S. into recession. InvestopediaAir pollution in war-torn Iran unleashes invisible toxic threatsBurning oil depots and bombed buildings are endangering the health of millions of people during the 2026 attacks. Heavy metals from munitions and other damaged materials are going airborne, but the exact health implications depends on dose, wind currents, and other factors including preexisting health conditions. The ConversationWhy have gas prices surged nearly 27% since the Iran war began?Oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz makes up only about 7% of US crude imports. However, crude oil prices account for 51% of the cost of a gallon of gas in the US. US refiners pay the Brent crude futures price, even for domestic drilling. CBS NewsA report found that the 2026 Iran war is the largest oil supply disruption in historyOil flow through the Strait of Hormuz—responsible for roughly 20% of the world's oil supply—plummeted from 20 million barrels a day to "a trickle" during the initial weeks of the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States. POLITICOSee how the rivalry between Iran and Israel has remade the Middle EastThis 2025 documentary explores how the relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States has shaped Middle Eastern geopolitics for decades. The film covers events leading up to and following the 2025 12-day war involving these nations. Frontline PBSIraq invaded Iran in 1980, drawing the new Islamic Republic into a devastating eight-year warJust a year after the revolution, Saddam Hussein invaded Iran, hoping to exploit its post-revolutionary instability. The brutal conflict killed hundreds of thousands in one of the century's deadliest conflicts and forced Khomeini's government to consolidate power. Johnny HarrisIranians voted overwhelmingly to establish an Islamic Republic in March 1979Just weeks after Khomeini's return, Iran held a national referendum to replace the monarchy with an Islamic Republic, and over 98% voted in favor (though the vote was criticized). The vote formalized the revolution's outcome, laying the foundation for a theocratic government that remains in place today. Al Jazeera EnglishIran became a constitutional monarchy in 1906A popular revolution forced the ruling Qajar Shah—a dynasty that had governed Iran since the late 18th century—to sign a constitution and establish a parliament, marking Iran's first major step toward democratic governance and limiting the monarchy's absolute power. Hikma HistoryMohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi ruled Iran for nearly four decades before being ousted by the revolutionThe last Shah of Iran came to power in 1941 and pursued rapid Westernization through his controversial reforms. His authoritarian rule, backed by the US, and his feared secret police, SAVAK, fueled mass resentment that ultimately drove him from power in 1979. Encyclopedia BritannicaThe primary language in Iran is Persian, also called FarsiSpoken by the majority of Iran's 90 million people, Persian is one of the world's oldest continuously spoken languages, with a literary tradition stretching back over a thousand years. It is also widely spoken in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Today TranslationsPersia was officially called Iran by the international community in 1935At the request of Reza Shah, the international community began using "Iran"—the name Iranians had always called their country—replacing the Western term "Persia." The change reflected a broader push for national identity and modernization under the Pahlavi dynasty. History MattersThe UN found that the Islamic Republic of Iran used genocidal tactics after the revolutionA 2024 report classified Iran's mass executions of political prisoners in the 1980s as genocide and crimes against humanity, finding that thousands were arbitrarily killed under Khomeini's orders by "death committees" targeting perceived religious and political enemies. Radio Free Europe'Velayat-e faqih' is the religious doctrine that has governed Iran since the 1979 revolutionMeaning "guardianship of the Islamic jurist," the doctrine transfers all political and religious authority to the Shia clergy, with the supreme leader holding ultimate power over the state. Developed by Khomeini in the 1970s, it has served as the foundation of Iran's government since the revolution. Tony Blair InstituteSee a timeline of the events that shaped the Iranian RevolutionFrom a defamatory newspaper editorial that sparked protests in January 1978 to Khomeini's return from exile and the Shah's flight from Iran in 1979, this timeline traces the rapidly escalating chain of events—protests, crackdowns, and political collapses—that toppled one of the Middle East's most powerful monarchies. The Brookings InstitutionAyatollah Khomeini returned to Iran on Feb. 1, 1979, after 14 years in exileGreeted by millions of Iranians flooding the streets of Tehran, Khomeini's return was a defining moment of the revolution. Within days, he appointed a rival prime minister, effectively dismantling the last remnants of the Shah's government and consolidating clerical rule over the new Islamic Republic. AP NewsThe Shah fled Iran in January 1979, ending nearly 38 years of Pahlavi ruleOn Jan. 16, 1979, Mohammad Reza Shah left Iran with his wife, officially for a "vacation"—one he would never return from. His departure marked the effective collapse of the monarchy, as millions celebrated in the streets and power swiftly shifted to Khomeini's revolutionary movement. CBS NewsMosaddegh nationalized Iran's oil industry in 1951, threatening Western control of the country's resourcesBefore nationalization, British companies controlled most of Iran's oil wealth, with little revenue returned to Iranians. Mosaddegh's decision made him a national hero at home but triggered a Western-led embargo and ultimately contributed to the coup that removed him from power. EBSCOThe Iranian Revolution relied largely on nonviolent tacticsDespite thousands of unarmed protesters killed by the Shah's forces, the revolution relied overwhelmingly on nonviolent tactics, including strikes, demonstrations, and civil disobedience, with up to 9 million Iranians peacefully taking to the streets, making it one of history's largest protest movements by population percentage. Radio Free EuropeIran's Revolutionary Guard Corps became one of the most powerful forces in the Middle EastCreated after the 1979 revolution to protect the new Islamic Republic, the IRGC grew into a force that controls Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, funds, and arms regional proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and answers directly to the supreme leader. Council on Foreign RelationsAyatollah Khamenei ruled Iran for 36 years after succeeding Khomeini as Supreme LeaderWhen Khomeini died in 1989, Ali Khamenei was appointed acting supreme leader on the same day. He served in this position until his death in February 2026, shaping Iran for nearly four decades. CNNThe 2007 animated film 'Persepolis' captures the Iranian Revolution through a child's eyesThe critically acclaimed film, based on Marjane Satrapi's graphic memoir, traces Iran's transformation from the Shah's rule through the revolution and its turbulent aftermath, showing how seismic political change shapes ordinary lives. Roger Ebert In 1979, Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran, holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 daysOutraged by the US decision to allow the exiled Shah to enter the United States for medical treatment, student protesters stormed the embassy in November 1979. The crisis paralyzed the Carter presidency and ended with a negotiated release on the day of Ronald Reagan's inauguration. PBSHear how the US and Iran went from close allies to bitter adversaries after the 1979 revolutionCovering five decades of conflict and diplomacy, this podcast examines key flashpoints—from the Iran-Iraq War and the 1983 Beirut bombings to Iran's use of proxy forces and cyberattacks—offering insight into one of the most consequential and complex rivalries in modern geopolitics. ThroughlineThe 1979 Iranian Revolution inspired other Islamist movements and alarmed Sunni governmentsBy establishing the world's first modern Islamic theocracy, the revolution inspired Islamist movements across the region and alarmed Sunni Arab governments. The resulting rivalry between Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia has since fueled proxy conflicts in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen that persist today. Tony Blair InstituteCongress has unsuccessfully voted on war powers resolutions over Trump's military operations in Venezuela and IranAfter Trump ordered unilateral military operations in both Venezuela and Iran without congressional authorization, lawmakers from both parties introduced war powers resolutions to block further action. Each effort failed, with Republican majorities largely supporting the president. TIMEOil nationalization triggered the CIA‑backed 1953 coup in IranNPR's Four Days in August podcast recounts the four days of covert CIA‑UK operations in Iran that toppled Prime Minister Mossadegh in August 1953. Threats of Iranian oil nationalization were a major driver of the decision to facilitate regime change. NPRIran-Iraq war drained over $1T from the combined economies of Iran and IraqAcross eight years (1980-88), Iran and Iraq each lost about $500 B in GDP, infrastructure destruction, military expenses, disrupted oil exports, and mounting debt—totaling over $1 T in economic damage. TheCollectorIran’s 1979 revolution sparked a second oil shock—and reconfigured global energy marketsWidespread strikes in Iran’s oil sector during the 1978-79 revolution slashed production and triggered panic buying, flooding oil markets with fear. BrookingsJet fuel is expensive—which is one reason why it's tough to make an airline profitableJet fuel is typically a commercial airline's second-largest expense, second only to labor. Oil prices can be volatile—there have been recent significant increases in jet fuel prices given the 2026 Iran conflict, for instance. NPRBudget airline Spirit announced its shutdown on May 2, 2026After filing for bankruptcy twice, there were a multitude of reasons for the airline's shutdown, including an increase in jet fuel prices due to the conflict in Iran in the first half of 2026. VoxHow disruptions in oil markets can drive up the price of everyday goodsMost types of plastic are made from polymers derived from chemicals produced by the processing and refining of crude oil and natural gas. Spikes in the cost of either fossil fuel raise the cost of wrappings, tubs, and other plastic containers for products. ReutersAs of 2024, the nation with the largest proven oil reserves is VenezuelaAccording to estimates derived from available geological and engineering data, the South American country possesses about 303 billion barrels of underground crude oil, followed by Saudi Arabia (267.2 billion) and Iran (208.6 billion). Many of the largest reserves are held by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Visual CapitalistThe unexpected rise of the global romcomThe romantic comedy has mostly fallen out of favor in the US, but it's booming in other parts of the world, including India, Nigeria, and South Korea. Rebecca Liu talks with film scholars and industry veterans to unpack why that happened and whether an American romcom renaissance is possible. The DialLearn how governments around the world restrict internet access for their citizensVarious countries around the world, including China, Russia, and Iran, control their local DNS infrastructure, allowing them to block access to online content by preventing the internet "phone book" from finding the IP addresses for specific URLs. Government-controlled internet service providers can also cut off access entirely or throttle specific traffic. The Wall Street JournalGulf nations produce about 40% of the world's desalinated waterAccording to a 2023 report, six Gulf states produced 1.9 trillion gallons of freshwater across more than 400 desalination plants along their coasts. These plants create water suitable for human consumption by boiling saltwater and collecting steam or using high-pressure pumps to push seawater through a filter that only allows water molecules through. Al JazeeraMapping the Middle East showing Sunni and Shia populations by countryFrance24's interactive visualization shows where each branch of Islam predominates across the region, from Iran's Shia majority to Saudi Arabia's Sunni dominance. The map helps make Middle Eastern politics (and conflicts) more legible. France24Six American diplomats secretly hid in the Canadian Embassy for months after escaping the hostage crisisWhen Iranian students seized the US Embassy, six Americans slipped away and took refuge with the Canadian Ambassador. The CIA orchestrated a daring escape under the cover of a fake film crew—later depicted in the Academy Award-winning film "Argo." HISTORYMohammad Mosaddegh was ousted in a CIA-backed coup in 1953Iran's democratically elected prime minister, Mosaddegh, nationalized the country's oil industry in 1951, challenging British and American control of Iran's resources. The CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup that ousted him and reinstated the Shah, fueling decades of Iranian distrust of the West. EBSCOThe Sunni-Shia divide has fueled conflict and rivalry throughout the Middle East for centuriesIslam's ancient sectarian split, rooted in a seventh-century dispute over succession following the Prophet Mohammed's death, has shaped modern geopolitics—most visibly in the proxy rivalry between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, whose competition for regional dominance has inflamed conflicts across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. Council on Foreign RelationsAyatollah Khomeini led the ideological opposition to the Shah from exileExiled in 1964 for opposing a law that granted diplomatic immunity to US military personnel in Iran, Khomeini built a large following by smuggling recorded sermons into Iran on cassette tapes. He aimed to replace the monarchy with an Islamic republic governed by religious law. Australia Broadcasting CorporationMapping projected food inflation across the world in 2026Iran tops the list of hardest-hit countries with a projected 56% inflation on food prices in 2026, followed by Argentina (33%) and Turkey (25%). In the opposite direction is Niger, whose food inflation is expected to drop 18% as a result of strong harvests and financial stabilization. The global average of food inflation is expected to be 3%. Visual CapitalistThe world's largest restaurant is the size of 10 football fieldsThe Bawabet Dimashq Restaurant in Damascus, Syria, has held the Guinness World Record for largest restaurant since 2008. It can seat 6,014 guests and employs nearly 1,800 people, who serve up an eclectic menu of Middle Eastern Indian, Arab, Iranian, Syrian, and Chinese dishes. The TakeoutThe idea of a check—or promissory note—goes back to antiquityAs long as traders have looked to pay in cash or coin, the idea of an IOU has been close behind. Clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia (roughly modern Iraq) and Persia (Iran) suggest proto-checks were used at the time. Islamic traders innovated "sakks" in the 9th century, leading to the broader adoption during the Middle Ages in Europe. SuperiorGeorge W. Bush delivered the first State of the Union livestreamed onlineIn 2002, George W. Bush became the first president to livestream the State of the Union, using the address to label Iraq, Iran, and North Korea an "axis of evil," shaping US strategy during the War on Terror. POLITICOSalman Rushdie's 1988 satire led to a government-sponsored death threatRushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" mocked religious dogma, including an extended sequence about the Prophet Muhammad. The book was accused of blasphemy and was banned in Pakistan and India. In 1989, Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the death of Rushdie and his publisher. AeonThere are about 1,300 active grandmasters worldwide todayThe title of grandmaster, established by FIDE in 1950, is the highest honor in chess. As of 2025, roughly 2,000 players have achieved the permanent title—an elite group representing less than one percent of the world’s competitive chess players. Around 1,300 are active today. Chess.comOil prices have been volatile for decadesThis explainer shows oil’s rollercoaster: OPEC-led embargoes in the 1970s, shale surges in the 2000s, and the US flip to becoming a net oil exporter in 2020. InvestopediaOPEC has grown from five to 12 members since 1960OPEC’s official members page features profiles for all 12 current member countries—Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Venezuela—detailing their joining history, national data, and links to individual country pages. OPECIRAs and 401(k) plans both help individuals save for retirement, but have their differencesAnyone can open an IRA, but 401(k) plans are accessible only through an employer. These two retirement vehicles also have different contribution limits per year, with 401(k) plans allowing you to contribute significantly more than an IRA. NerdWalletThe winter solstice has been celebrated globally for millenniaFrom gatherings at Stonehenge in the UK to celebrations of the triumph of Mithra in Iran, cultures around the world have marked the shortest day of the year in a variety of ways for a very long time. Here are eight known to us today that endure. HISTORY
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