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.”
1978 October 31: oil...