Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Conservative students storm the US Embassy in Tehran and take 52 Americans host-
age. They are held for 444 days and finally released on the day of Ronald Reagan's
presidential inauguration.
1980-88
The Iran-Iraq War begins with an opportunistic invasion by Saddam Hussein's forces.
In Iran, 87 cities and nearly 3000 villages are bombed. More than 900,000 people are
killed on both sides.
3 June, 1989
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini dies, aged 86. The leadership shuffles, with recently ap-
pointed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei becoming Supreme Leader and Ayatollah Akbar
Hashemi Rafsanjani elected president.
1997
Reformist Mohammad Khatami is elected president in a landslide. Harsh laws on dress
and social interaction stop being so strictly enforced and many women start wearing
make-up and tighter clothing.
2003
On 26 December 2003, the oasis city of Bam was devastated by an earthquake that
killed more than 31,000 people and largely destroyed the ancient Arg-e Bam.
2005
Populist Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is elected president, defeating regime
insider, former president and wealthy businessman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsan-
jani.
For more details on Iran Today,
Click here
.
