Mass demonstrations erupt in Isfahan

Changing its director did not erase memories of imprisonment, torture and surveillance under royal rule.

In a national broadcast, the monarch pledged political liberalization and elections in an effort to calm growing unrest.

Years of controlled politics, censorship and repression made many activists doubt that reform could be delivered under the monarchy.

The concession showed that the palace could no longer dismiss protest as the work of a small minority.

Increasing numbers of demonstrators called for an end to royal rule rather than adjustments within the existing system.

Lethal repression intensified anger and helped move the political crisis toward emergency rule.

Commercial closures demonstrated the capacity of merchants to turn economic action into political pressure.

Urban workers, merchants and ordinary residents increasingly joined the opposition coalition.

Hundreds of people died after the cinema was set on fire and exits were obstructed, making it one of the revolution's worst tragedies.

Funerals and public grief intensified hostility toward the state in a major oil-industry city.