Iran since the Islamic revolution Top Searches Iran since the Islamic revolution AFP / Aug 3, 2021, 13:06 IST FacebookTwitterLinkedinEMail Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei TEHRAN: As Iran inaugurates its new president Ebrahim Raisi, a recap of the country's landmark events since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the US-backed monarchy and established an Islamic republic. After months of protests, on January 16, 1979, the US-backed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, leaves the country. Revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini makes a triumphant return from exile in Paris on February 1. Ten days later, the Shah's government falls. Public radio hails "the end of 2,500 years of despotism". An Islamic republic is proclaimed on April 1.