Historical Organization
SAVAK
SAVAK
Details
Organization Timeline
Security forces attack the Feyziyeh Seminary
📅 22 March 1963Government agents and security forces assaulted students and clerics at the seminary in Qom, killing and injuring an uncertain number.
The Feyziyeh attack radicalizes religious opposition
📅 22 March 1963Supporters remembered the assault as proof that the monarchy would use violence against independent religious institutions.
Khomeini is arrested before dawn
📅 5 June 1963Commandos seized Khomeini in Qom and transferred him to prison in Tehran after his Ashura speech.
Khomeini is released from confinement
📅 7 April 1964After months of imprisonment and house arrest, Khomeini returned to Qom and resumed public opposition.
Khomeini is arrested and exiled
📅 4 November 1964Security forces seized him in Qom and deported him to Turkey, attempting to separate the opposition leader from his Iranian networks.
The monarchy removes a leading domestic critic
📅 4 November 1964Exile ended Khomeini’s direct presence in Iran but gave his opposition a powerful narrative of sacrifice and resistance.
Founders of the People’s Mojahedin are executed
📅 25 May 1972The Shah’s government executed leading members of the organization after military trials, deepening the movement’s culture of martyrdom.
Nine political prisoners are killed at Evin
📅 19 April 1975Authorities announced that Bijan Jazani and eight others were shot while escaping; opponents believed SAVAK executed them deliberately.
The Evin killings intensify opposition to SAVAK
📅 19 April 1975The deaths became evidence for revolutionary movements that political prisoners could not obtain justice under the monarchy.
Ali Shariati dies in exile
📅 18 June 1977The influential sociologist and Islamic revolutionary thinker died in Britain. Many supporters suspected SAVAK involvement, although the cause remains disputed.
Mostafa Khomeini dies in Najaf
📅 23 October 1977Khomeini’s eldest son and close assistant died suddenly. Supporters widely suspected foul play, while the precise cause remained contested.
Nematollah Nassiri is dismissed from SAVAK
📅 6 June 1978The Shah removed the long-serving head of the security service as unrest undermined confidence in the regime.
Nasser Moghadam takes command of SAVAK
📅 6 June 1978A new director was appointed in an attempt to change the public face and methods of the monarchy's security apparatus.
The regime makes a concession under pressure
📅 6 June 1978Revolution supporters interpreted the personnel change as evidence that sustained protest could force retreats from the state.
SAVAK remains a symbol of repression
📅 6 June 1978Changing its director did not erase memories of imprisonment, torture and surveillance under royal rule.