Military defections accelerate the monarchy's collapse

5 February 1979

Bakhtiar still headed the royal cabinet, while the revolutionary movement recognized Bazargan's provisional government.

5 February 1979

The provisional administration was expected to hold a referendum, prepare constitutional arrangements and restore basic government services.

9 February 1979

Homafaran personnel declared support for Khomeini, revealing fractures inside the armed forces.

9 February 1979

Fighting at the air-force base turned military division into open armed confrontation.

9 February 1979

Revolutionaries and neighborhood groups moved toward the base, built barricades and sought weapons.

9 February 1979

The conflict showed that the command structure could no longer rely on unquestioned obedience from all ranks.

10 February 1979

The royal government attempted to confine residents indoors and regain control through martial-law powers.

10 February 1979

The instruction turned mass presence in the streets into a decisive test of revolutionary authority.

10 February 1979

Armed groups and residents captured state facilities as units of the security apparatus surrendered or withdrew.

10 February 1979

Neighborhood resistance and military defections made enforcement of royal orders increasingly impossible.

11 February 1979

Senior commanders announced that the military would not continue defending the royal government, removing its final institutional support.

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