Historical Organization
Imperial Iranian Armed Forces
Imperial Iranian Armed Forces
Details
Organization Timeline
US support reinforces the Shah before the uprising
📅 31 December 1977Carter’s endorsement demonstrated the strategic relationship linking arms sales, oil and regional security to the monarchy.
General Azhari becomes prime minister
📅 6 November 1978The Shah replaced the reconciliation government with a military-led cabinet.
Military government expands emergency rule
📅 6 November 1978Authorities attempted to restore order through arrests, censorship, curfews and troop deployments.
Sharif-Emami leaves office
📅 6 November 1978His resignation marked the failure of limited concessions to divide or demobilize the opposition.
The monarchy depends openly on the armed forces
📅 6 November 1978Supporters viewed the appointment as confirmation that royal power rested on coercion rather than popular consent.
The armed forces declare neutrality
📅 11 February 1979Senior commanders announced that the military would not continue defending the royal government, removing its final institutional support.
The Bakhtiar government collapses
📅 11 February 1979The last royal prime minister went into hiding as ministries, barracks and broadcasting facilities passed to revolutionary forces.
The revolution achieves victory
📅 11 February 1979The fall of the Pahlavi state ended the monarchy and is commemorated in Iran as the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
Revolutionary committees assume local authority
📅 11 February 1979Committees took responsibility for security, food distribution and administration during the collapse of the old state.