Ruhollah Khomeini Biography

Birth of Ruhollah Khomeini

Leads Moslem resistance to female emancipation, is arrested & exiled

Leads Moslem resistance to female emancipation, arrested & exiled

Shia cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini first comes to political prominence in he leads the opposition to the Shah and his "White Revolution"

State of siege proclaimed in Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini arrested. Khomeini is arrested in 1963 after declaring the Shah a "wretched miserable man" who had "embarked on the destruction of Islam in Iran"

Three days of major riots throughout Iran follow, with Khomeini supporters claiming 15,000 dead from police fire

State of siege proclaimed in Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini arrested

Three days of major riots throughout Iran follow, with Khomeini supporters claiming 15,000 dead from police fire. Khomeini is arrested in 1963 after declaring the Shah a "wretched miserable man" who had "embarked on the destruction of Islam in Iran"

Away from public view, Khomeini develops the ideology of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the jurist) as Government, that Muslims require "guardianship," in the form of rule or supervision by the leading Islamic jurist or jurists.

Exiled to Turkey for opposing the Shahs Status of Forces Bill, granting US immunity

Khomeini was re-arrested and sent into exile where he remained for 14 years until the revolution.

The Islamic revival begins to undermine the idea of Westernization as progress that was the basis of the Shahs secular regime, and to form the ideology of the 1979 revolution.

Khomeini is released after eight months of house arrest and continues his agitation, condemning the regimes close cooperation with Israel and its capitulations, or extension of diplomatic immunity to American Government personnel in Iran

Khomeini is released after eight months of house arrest and continues his agitation, condemning the regimes close cooperation with Israel and its capitulations, or extension of diplomatic immunity to American Government personnel in Iran

Khomeini was re-arrested and sent into exile where he remained for 14 years until the revolution

Moves to Iraq where he remains until 1978

Khomeinis activists numbered "perhaps a few hundred in total", but over the coming months they grew to a mass of several thousand demonstrators in most cities of Iran

18 groups in a number of cities marched to honor the fallen and protest against the rule of the Shah & violence erupts in Tabriz, where five hundred demonstrators were killed according to the opposition, ten according to the Government

Returns to Iran

Demonstrations break out which spread to the rest of the country

Government troops fire on demonstrators, Black Friday

The army was sent in, dispersing the demonstrations and killing several students (two to nine according to the Government, 70 or more according to the opposition). Government troops fire on demonstrators, Black Friday

Leaves for Paris where Khomeini forms an opposition movement in exile

The Islamic Revolutionary Council is formed in Iran at Khomeinis behest

The Islamic Revolutionary Council is formed in Iran at Khomeinis behest

The Islamic Revolutionary Council is formed in Iran at Khomeinis behest

The Islamic Revolutionary Council is formed in Iran at Khomeinis behest

Martial Law is declared

The clerical leadership declared that "thousands have been massacred by Zionist troops"

The clerical leadership declared that "thousands have been massacred by Zionist troops"

A general strike in October resulted in the paralysis of the economy, with vital industries being shut down,"sealing the Shahs fate"

A general strike in October resulted in the paralysis of the economy, with vital industries being shut down,"sealing the Shahs fate"

A general strike in October resulted in the paralysis of the economy, with vital industries being shut down,"sealing the Shahs fate"

Leaves for Paris and took up residence in the suburb of Neauphle-le-Chƒteau

During the Islamic month of Muharram, over two million people filled the streets of Tehrans Azadi Square (then Shahyad Square), to demand the removal of the Shah and return of Khomeini

During the Islamic month of Muharram, over two million people filled the streets of Tehrans Azadi Square (then Shahyad Square), to demand the removal of the Shah and return of Khomeini

During the Islamic month of Muharram, over two million people filled the streets of Tehrans Azadi Square (then Shahyad Square), to demand the removal of the Shah and return of Khomeini

During the Islamic month of Muharram, over two million people filled the streets of Tehrans Azadi Square (then Shahyad Square), to demand the removal of the Shah and return of Khomeini

A "total of 6 to 9 million" anti-shah demonstrators marched throughout Iran

Khomeini forms the Revolutionary Council to coordinate the transition from the monarchy

The Shah leaves Iran as Khomeini's revolutionary movement advances toward power

Bakhtiar proposes that Khomeini return under limits while appealing for preservation of constitutional order

Bakhtiar seeks a controlled return for Khomeini as revolutionary momentum grows

Khomeini returns to Iran after years of exile and is welcomed by huge crowds in Tehran

Khomeini returns to Iran after years of exile and is welcomed by huge crowds in Tehran

Huge crowds welcome Khomeini in Tehran after his return from exile

Khomeini returns from exile and receives a triumphant welcome in Tehran

Khomeini backs Bazargan's provisional government while revolutionary institutions grow in power

Khomeini appoints Bazargan and supports a provisional revolutionary government

Khomeini appoints Mehdi Bazargan as interim prime minister and orders supporters to obey him

Khomeini orders supporters to defy Bakhtiar's curfew as the final uprising accelerates

Khomeini declares victory as the monarchy collapses and the revolutionary state takes power

Khomeini's supporters take power after the collapse of Bakhtiar's government

Khomeini declares the triumph of the revolution after Bakhtiar's government collapses

Khomeini's followers consolidate power as the revolutionary victory becomes clear

Khomeini's movement takes power after the collapse of the monarchy

Khomeini declares victory as revolutionary forces defeat the monarchy's last government

Khomeini's revolutionary movement takes power after the monarchy collapses

Women demonstrate in Tehran against pressure for compulsory Islamic veiling after the revolution

Voting begins in a national referendum on replacing the monarchy with an Islamic Republic

Voting begins in a referendum on replacing the monarchy with an Islamic Republic

A national referendum begins on replacing the monarchy with an Islamic Republic

Khomeini announces the establishment of the Islamic Republic after the referendum result

Khomeini announces the establishment of the Islamic Republic after the referendum result

Khomeini announces the new Islamic Republic from Tehran after the national vote

Khomeini proclaims the Islamic Republic after the March referendum

Khomeini proclaims the Islamic Republic of Iran after the referendum

Khomeini declares the establishment of the Islamic Republic after the national referendum

Khomeini proclaims the Islamic Republic after the referendum result

Khomeini proclaims the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran

Khomeini issues the decree establishing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Iran's revolutionary government nationalizes private banks after the fall of the monarchy

The embassy seizure turns Iran's revolutionary crisis into a major confrontation with the United States

The seizure of the US Embassy breaks the revolutionary government's relationship with Washington

Students following the Imam's Line seize the US Embassy and take American personnel hostage

Iranian students seize the US Embassy and begin the hostage crisis involving 52 Americans

Khomeini and the Revolutionary Council become the uncontested centre of power after Bazargan resigns

Iran begins releasing some women and African American hostages while most embassy captives remain detained

Iran's new constitution is approved by referendum, formalising the Islamic Republic's governing structure

The US hostages are released after the payment of substantial US owned Iranian assets

Assumes power as head of a theocratic state

Iraq launches an all out attack on Iran, hoping for a quick victory

Iranian assets are transferred under the Algiers agreements, including movement through a Bank of England account

All 52 American hostages are released after the Algiers agreements take effect on Reagan's inauguration day

Khomeini dismisses Banisadr from the presidency after the parliamentary vote against him

Khomeini confirms Rajai as president during the rapid transfer of power after Banisadr's dismissal

Khomeini backs the offensive that breaks the Iraqi siege of Abadan

Khomeini installs Khamenei as President of Iran after the October election

Khomeini supports the offensive that helps Iran retake Bostan from Iraqi forces

Iran lays siege to Basra, Iraqs only port

Iran recaptures Khorramshar

Iraq declares a ceasefire

Iran launches its 1st attack into Iraq

Iran moves troops into northern Iraq

Street battles lead to defeat of the Mujaheddin by the Revolutionary Guard

Street battles lead to defeat of the Mujaheddin by the Revolutionary Guard

Iran attacks Dezful

Iran outlaws the Tufeh, Iranian Communist Party

Iran outlaws the Tufeh, Iranian Communist Party

Iran moves troops into northern Iraq, threatening the Kirkuk pipeline

Iran moves troops into northern Iraq, threatening the Kirkuk pipeline

Iran moves troops into northern Iraq, threatening the Kirkuk pipeline

Iran opens a "massive" offensive against Iraq

Iran captures Iraqs oil-rich Majnoon Islands

Iran attempts to ford the Tigris, Iraq fights off the offensive

Iran occupies the Fao Peninsular

Iran captures the port of Faw & gains control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway

Iran and France breaks diplomatic relations

Iran sues for peace

The USs secret arms deals with Iran for Iranian attempts to free US Lebanon hostages

Accepts a United Nations proposal for a cease-fire in the Gulf

Death of Ruhollah Khomeini

Iran breaks off relations with Britain

The Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the death of Salman Rushdie

Death of Ruhollah Khomeini