Iran

• 1921 February


  Military commander Reza Khan seizes power.
• 1926 April


  Reza Khan crowned Reza Shah Pahlavi.
• 1941


  The Shah's pro-Axis allegiance in World War II leads to the Anglo-Russian occupation of Iran and the deposition of the Shah in favour of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
• 1951 April


  Parliament votes to nationalise the oil industry, which is dominated by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Britain imposes an embargo and a blockade, halting oil exports and hitting the economy. A power struggle between the Shah and nationalist Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq ensues.
• 1953 August


  Prime Minister Mossadeq is overthrown in a coup engineered by the British and US intelligence services. General Fazlollah Zahedi is proclaimed prime minister, and the Shah returns from temporary exile.
• 1963 January


  The Shah launches the 'White Revolution' programme of land reform and social and economic modernisation. During the late 1960s he becomes increasingly dependent on the SAVAK secret police in controlling opposition movements.
• 1978 September


  The Shah's policies alienate the clergy and his authoritarian rule leads to riots, strikes and mass demonstrations. Martial law is imposed.
• 1979 January


  As the political situation deteriorates, the Shah and his family are forced into exile.
• 1979 February


  Islamic clerical opposition leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns from 14 years of exile in Iraq and France.
• 1979 April


  The Islamic Republic of Iran is proclaimed following a referendum.
• 1979 November


  Islamic militants take 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran. They demand the extradition of the Shah, in the US at the time for medical treatment, to face trial in Iran.
• 1980 January


  Abolhasan Bani-Sadr is elected the first president of the Islamic Republic. His government begins work on a major nationalisation programme.
• 1980 July


  The exiled Shah dies of cancer in Egypt.
• 1980 22 September


  Start of Iran-Iraq war, which lasts for eight years.
• 1981 January


  The American hostages are released, ending 444 days in captivity.
• 1988 July


  An Iran Air Airbus is mistakenly shot down by the USS Vincennes
• 1988 July


  Iran accepts a ceasefire agreement with Iraq following negotiations in Geneva under the aegis of the UN.
• 2002 January


  US President George Bush describes Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil", warning of the proliferation of long-range missiles being developed in these countries.
• 2010 June


  UN Security Council imposes fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, including tighter financial curbs and an expanded arms embargo.