Bush Identifies “Axis of Evil”
January 1, 2000
U.S. President George W. Bush declares Iran, Iraq, and North Korea an “axis of evil.” The statement incites outrage in Iran and is rebuked by both reformists and conservatives.
Reformist Resurgence
March 1, 2000
Reformist politicians edge out conservative and independent candidates in parliamentary elections; reformists attain majority.
Khatami Re-elected
June 30, 2001
President Khatami is re-elected.
Iran Constructs Nuclear Reactor
September 1, 2002
Russian technicians start construction of Iran’s first nuclear reactor at Bushehr despite strong objections from the U.S.
Student Protests in Tehran
June 1, 2003
Thousands of students protest in Tehran against restrictive clerical rule.
No Evidence of Weapons Program in Iran
November 1, 2003
Government allows tougher UN inspections of its nuclear reactors. IAEA concludes there is no evidence of weapons program.
Conservatives Win Big
February 8, 2004
Conservatives win majority in parliamentary elections. The Council of Guardians disqualifies thousands of reformist candidates prior to voting.
Ahmadinejad Elected
June 11, 2005
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tehran’s ultra-conservative mayor, wins presidential election. Government announces it has resumed uranium conversion for peaceful purposes. IAEA finds Iran in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
UNSC Imposes Sanction on Iran
August 30, 2006
UN Security Council deadline for Iran to halt its work on nuclear fuel passes. UN Council votes to impose sanctions on Iran. Iran condemns the resolution and declares that it will speed up uranium enrichment.
U.S. Announces New Sanctions
April 26, 2007
Through October, President Ahmadinejad declares that Iran can produce nuclear fuel at an industrial level. U.S. announces new sanctions against Iran, the strongest since first sanctions were imposed 30 years prior.
Ahmadinejad Visits Iraq
March 30, 2008
President Ahmadinejad makes official visit to Iraq, where he calls upon U.S. coalition troops to withdraw. Ahmadinejad says Iran wants to help rebuild Iraq and he signs cooperation agreements.
Iran Missile Test
July 30, 2008
Government test-fires new long-range Shahab-3, a missile claimed to be capable of hitting Israel.
Ahmadinejad is Re-elected
June 30, 2009
President Ahmadinejad is re-elected president. Rival candidates allege the vote is rigged. Protesters clash with security forces, and at least 30 people are killed and more than 1,000 arrested.
UN Proposal to Iran
October 31, 2009
Five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany make proposal to Iran to enrich its uranium abroad. Iran rejects the proposal.
New Sanctions on Iran
June 30, 2010
UN Security Council implements fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear enrichment program, which includes tougher financial restrictions and an expanded arms embargo.
Protests in Iran
February 28, 2011
Protests against authoritarian rule spread here and are met with heavy resistance.
More Sanctions on Iran
January 31, 2012
EU announces further sanctions, focusing on banks, trade and vital gas imports.
UAE-Iran Island Dispute
April 30, 2012
UAE ambassador to Iran is recalled after a dispute over an island that both countries claim.
Sanctions Take Toll
October 31, 2012
The currency drops to a record low, losing about 80% of its value since 2011 due to international sanctions.
Iran Speeds up Enrichment Rate
January 31, 2013
Iran tells IAEA that it can enrich uranium at a faster rate than ever before.
Rouhani Wins Presidential Election
June 30, 2013
Reformist Hassan Rouhani wins presidential election. He states that Iran has no nuclear weapon ambitions.
Iran Joins the Fight Against ISIS
June 30, 2014
President Rouhani states that Iran is ready to help Iraq fight Sunni extremists, specifically the Islamic State.
Talks Begin with Iran
July 31, 2014
P5+1 begin talks with Iran in Geneva and Vienna concerning scaling back the latter’s enrichment program and granting inspector access.
Israel Launches Air Strikes
January 31, 2015
Israel launches air strikes on Syrian side of Golan Heights, killing Hezbollah fighters and an Iranian general. Clashes ensue along Israeli-Lebanese border.
Nuclear Negotiations
July 31, 2015
P5+1 and Iranian officials negotiate a deal to limit the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy capacity and give IAEA investigators access in exchange for relaxations on some sanctions.
Iranians Burn Down Saudi Embassy
January 31, 2016
The government breaks off diplomatic relations with Iran after its embassy in Tehran is set on fire to protest the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Al-Nimr was a supporter of Shia protests in primarily Sunni Saudi Arabia.
Sanctions are Lifted
January 31, 2016
International sanctions are lifted as UN reports satisfaction with nuclear agreement progress.
Rouhani re-elected
May 20, 2017
Hassan Rouhani wins re-election for president.
Pair of attacks carried out by Islamic State
June 7, 2017
12 people were killed in a pair of attacks on parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, carried out by the Islamic State.
Mass protests over economic grievances
December 29, 2017
Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans as a result of growing discontent over rising prices and alleged corruption, as well as the growing concern over the country’s involvement with Iraq and Syria
U.S. pulls out of Iran Deal
May 8, 2018
United States President Trump announced he was leaving the international nuclear deal and would reinstate strict sanctions on Tehran.
