Iranian Revolution in Perspective || A Chronological Survey of the Iranian Revolution

International Society for Iranian Studies

A Chronological Survey of the Iranian RevolutionAuthor(s): Nicholas M. NikazmeradSource: Iranian Studies, Vol. 13, No. 1/4, Iranian Revolution in Perspective (1980), pp. 327-368Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. on behalf of International Society for Iranian StudiesStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4310346 .

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Iranian Studies, Volume XIII, Nos. 1-4, 18O

A Chronological Survey of the Iranian Revolution

Nicholas M. Nikazmerad

1978

January 9: Police opened fire into a crowd of religious dissidents in Qom demonstrating against government land-reform policies, the ban of the veil for Muslim women, and the forceful dispersal of previous rallies. Six were reported killed and 9 injured, according to official police sources. The opposition placed the number at 20 dead and over 300 injured. In response to these shootings, Ayatollah Shari'atmadari, one of Iran's leading religious leaders, condemned the government's action and called for the return of Ayatollah Khomeini, who was living in exile in Iraq.

January 26: Qom was the scene of more demonstrating when some 300,000 people rallied in favor of the government's reforms.

Nicholas M. Nikazmerad is a Ph.D. candidate, Department of Politics, New York University.

This chrpnology covers the period from the first significant demonstration of the revolution on January 9, 1978 to the election of Abol-Hasan Banisadr as the first president of the Islamic Republic of Iran on January 25, 1980.

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1978

February 5: Prime Minister Amuzegar presented his new budget to the Parliament. The budget estimated a rec- ord expenditure of $59.2 billion for 1978.

February 18-19: Antigovernment demonstrations in major cities marked the end of a 40-day mourning period in memory of those killed in Qom. Serious riots broke out in Tabriz leading to the burning of banks, movie houses, and hotels by the demonstrators. Violent clashes with the police and government troops left 6 killed and 125 injured, according to government officials. The opposition placed the number of deaths at 100.

February 23: Army units withdrew from Tabriz after calm had been restored. Authorities arrested 650 persons, and 60 others were indicted for their role in the riots.

February 27: The Iranian embassy in East Berlin was attacked and occupied by dissident Iranian students protesting their government's handling of the riots in Tabriz. They held 4 diplomats briefly before they were subdued by the police.

February 28: Amnesty International accused Iran of denying defendants the right to a fair and adequate trial.

March 3: Iran cut diplomatic relations with East Germany. The East German government was accused by Iran of having encouraged the student takeover of its embassy.

Terrorists and "Islamic Marxists" were blamed by the Shah in a French radio interview for the Tabriz riots.

March 27: Brigadier Ali Akbar Darakhshani, 85 years old, was arrested on charges of spying for the Soviet Union. According to the authorities, he died of a heart attack after confessing to his crimes.

March 27-April 3: Scattered antigovernment rioting and strikes, commemorating those who died in the Tabriz riots, erupted throughout the country leading to a number of deaths and injuries. In particular, riots in Yazd on

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March 28 resulted in the death of as many as 25 people after police opened fire on demonstrators.

March 31: The "unholy alliance" of the "red" left- ists and the "black" religious reactionaries against the regime was attacked by the Rastakhiz Party.

April 6: The government announced the uncovering and smashing of a Soviet espionage network. They claimed to have proof of Soviet involvement in Iran's extremist dissent.

April 8: The homes of 4 political dissidents (Sanjabi, Bazargan, Moqaddam and Manian) were bombed in Tehran and a fifth dissident (Payman) was abducted and beaten. The Underground Committee for Revenge, a reputed government-sponsored organization, claimed credit for this and a wave of other violence against the antigovernment activists.

April 9: A progovernment rally was held in Tabriz attended by some 300,000 people, including members of the cabinet. The launching of armed "Peoples Committees" to conduct "surveillance campaigns" against "foreign-backed elements" was announced during the rally in the hope of ending the violence and demonstrations throughout the country.

April 16: In an interview with The Times of London, the shah stated that torture was no longer practiced in Iran and that the recent disturbances were the work of small groups of "ignorant people."

April 18: The homes and offices of 2 dissident lawyers were bombed by the Underground Committee for Re- venge.

April 25: Riots broke out at the University of Teh- ran following the arrest and alleged beating of 65 students for distributing antigovernment literature.

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May 6-7: Clashes between students and police were reported at the University campuses in Tehran, Shiraz, Is- fahan, Tabriz, and other cities, marking the end of the 40-day mourning period for those killed in Yazd.

May 9-10: Renewed antigovernment rioting swept across some 34 cities. Qom was the scene of the most serious in- cidents. Dissidents leaving funeral services in a mosque took to the streets setting fire to buildings, cars, and other public property. Two theology students were killed in the home of Ayatollah Shari'atmadari as the police forced their way into the homes of religious dignitaries.

May 11: A large crowd of demonstrators calling for the overthrow of the shah clashed with the security forces in Tehran. The shah had reportedly taken personal command of the troops.

The shah postponed his departure for an official visit to Eastern Europe.

May 13: The shah announced, during a news conference, that despite the violent disturbances he would proceed with his program of political liberalization. He placed the blame for the demonstrations on political dissidents supporting the National Front, without reference to the participation of the religious opposition.

May 15: Troops stormed the campus of Tehran Univer- sity to break up student demonstrations calling for an end to the presence of military guards at the University.

A 1-day general strike was called by the dissidents.

May 16: In an open letter addressed to the shah, the Iranian Association for the Defense of Liberty and Human Rights criticized the repressive policies of the monarch and his crackdown on the opposition.

The shah left for a visit to Eastern Europe.

May 18: Ayatollah Shari'atmadari warned that there would be no peace in the country until the shah acceded to Muslim demands for the formation of a constitutional government.

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1978

May 31: Substantial property damage was caused at Tehran University as two groups of about 2,500 male students clashed. The dispute resulted from the integration of sexes on the campus dormitories 5 months earlier and the presence of military guards.

June 3: Dormitories at Tehran University were closed.

June 5: A general strike was called by a coalition of antigovernment forces to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the June 1963 riots, which had led to the exile of Ayatollah Khomeini.

June 6: General Ne'matollah Nasiri, SAVAK chief since 1965, was dismissed by the shah and appointed as Iran's ambassador to Pakistan.

June 17: Thousands of people staged peaceful antigovernment demonstrations in Qom and 6 other cities to protest the killing of the theology students by the troops in May. The gatherings occasioned the end of a 40-day Muslim mourning period for the dead, which had become a regular occurrence since the first civilian fatalities in January.

July 3: A private "Code of Conduct" for the royal family was issued by the shah barring them from profiteer- ing in business deals.

July 12: Ayatollah Shari'atmadari demanded free parliamentary elections to be held in June 1979. The government's refusal, he warned, would lead him and his supporters to view the existing Parliament as illegal.

July 23-24: Riots erupted in Mashad after the funeral service for a Shi'ite leader, Ayatollah Ahmad Kafi. Police and troops intervened, resulting in-the deaths of about 40 people.

August 5: In a television "message to the nation," the shah emphasized his support for free elections and Western-style political liberties.

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August 10: The arrest of a local religious leader in Isfahan led to demonstrations and serious rioting in the city. Martial law was imposed the next day as army troops with tanks moved in to prevent further rioting. Four were reported killed and 66 injured.

Clashes between police and demonstrators in Shiraz left several people dead and about 200 wounded.

August 13: A bomb exploded in a Tehran restaurant killing one and injuring 40 persons, including 10 Americans.

August 14: In response to the continuing outbreaks of violence, the armed forces were put on a state of alert in all major towns and cities, to be prepared "to intervene if necessary."

August 17: The PLO was accused by the government of helping to foment unrest.

August 18: An arsonist's fire in a Mashad movie theater killed 3 people.

August 20: Two movie houses were set ablaze in Re- za'iyeh and Shiraz. There were no casualties.

About 430 died in a movie house fire in Abadan. Ten suspects were said to have been arrested by the police. Five of them, described by the chief of police as "Islamic Marxists," had allegedly confessed to setting the fire.

August 22-25: Antishah riots broke out in Abadan during the burial ceremonies for the victims of the theater fire. Crowds shouting "Death to the shah" attacked government buildings and clashed with the police. Army troops moved in to restore order. The government blamed the fire on the 5 suspects arrested, while Dr. Sanjabi, a leader of the National Front, and other dissidents held "agents of the regime" responsible.

August 27: Prime Minister Jamshid Amuzegar was dismissed by the shah in an attempt to defuse the increasing violence sweeping Iran. Ja'far Sharif-Emami was appointed

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to lead a reconciliation government. He pledged himself to campaign for free elections and to the establishment of "le- gitimate" political parties. As part of a concession to the religious elements, the portfolio of the minister of state for women's affairs was abolished, gambling houses and ca- sinos were ordered closed, and the Imperial Iranian Calendar introduced in 1976 was replaced by the traditional Muslim Calendar.

August 29: The Iranian press announced the desire of 14 political groups to become legal political parties.

August 31: Ten people were killed demonstrating in Mashad following the 40-day mourning period for those killed there in July.

September 2: Rioting occurred in Tehran, Mashad and other major cities.

September 3: In response to Prime Minister Sharif- Emami's program, Ayatollah Shari'atmadari gave the new government 3 months to accede to his demands made on July 12.

Ayatollah Khomeini denounced the "hypocrisy" of the new government and called for the overthrow of the regime.

The Union of National Front Forces issued a 12-point program linking the credibility of the new government to the immediate implementation of their program. The program included the release of all political prisoners, the dissolution of SAVAK, and the legalization of all political movements.

September 4: Some 200,000 demonstrators calling for the return of Ayatollah Khomeini and his installation as head of state marched in Tehran to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

September 6: The government imposed a ban on all unauthorized rallies, warning they would be "dispersed by the security forces."

September 7: Some 100,000 people gathered in Tehran in defiance of the government ban on unauthorized rallies.

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The participants called for the overthrow of the shah and the establishment of an "Islamic Republic."

September 8: The government imposed martial law in Tehran and 11 other major cities. In Tehran, several thou- sand demonstrators protesting this imposition clashed with troops, who opened fire into the crowd. The death toll, in what came to be known as "Black Friday," was estimated at between 95 and 250, with opposition sources claiming deaths between 2,000 and 3,000.

September 9: The Army ordered censorship of the press.

September 10: President Carter telephoned the shah to reaffirm continued U.S. support for his regime.

September 11: The shah attributed the antiregime violence to "international subversive organizations."

The Iranian Association of Jurists denounced the martial law and the killing of "innocent people" as unconsti- tutional because the new government had not been granted a parliamentary vote of confidence prior to its imposition of martial law.

September 12: Prominent antiregime activists were rounded up and imprisoned on charges of subversive activities against the state. Scores of former ministers, high-level civil servants, and businessmen were arrested on charges of corruption and bribery.

Mohsen Pezeshkpur, leader of the Pan Iranist Party, accused the government on television of conducting a "mas- sacre" in quelling the September 8 riots.

September 14: Ayatollahs Khomeini and Shari'atmadari urged their followers to engage in passive resistance and to avoid further clashes with the security forces.

September 16: Sharif-Emami's government was given a vote of confidence by the Majles with nearly 1/3 of the deputies absent.

An earthquake hit eastern Iran, resulting in 11,000 deaths in Tabas and the surrounding areas.

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1978

September 17: The imposition of martial law for Tehran and other major cities was approved by the Majles.

September 24: About 10,000 oil workers employed by the Oil Service Company of Iran in Khuzistan went on strike over pay and political issues. Strikes and other industrial actions against the government began to spread to other sectors rapidly.

September 26: In a directive issued by the shah, members of the royal family were banned from financial dealings with government agencies or firms doing business with the government.

September 30: Telecommunication workers walked off their jobs causing serious disruptions in long-distance telephone and Telex links.

October 1: A 1-day nationwide work stoppage was called by the opposition to protest Ayatollah Khomeini's house arrest in Iraq.

Employees of the Bank Melli and the National Iranian Oil Company staged job actions demanding higher wages.

October 2: The shah granted amnesty to dissidents living abroad, including Ayatollah Khomeini.

October 3-8: Strike actions were stepped up in major industrial and service sectors, including hospitals, radio and television, power plants, postal services., public trans- port, steel industries, schools and civil-service offices. This occurred despite government assurances that it would meet the economic demands of the strikers.

October 5: The government announced the release of 86 political prisoners.

October 6: Ayatollah Khomeini left Iraq and arrived in France.

The shah pledged to continue his reform and liberalization programs despite the current unrest.

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1978

October 10: President Carter voiced his strong support for the shah during a Washington press conference.

October 11: The military imposed censorship on 2 daily papers in Tehran, Kayhan and Ettela'at. The action prompted an employee strike which was joined by virtually all other papers in the country.

October 12: A government-owned paper, Rastakhiz, failed to publish due to the printers' strike.

October 13: Censorship of the papers was lifted in exchange for a promise by the press not to criticize the person of the shah or the military.

October 16: A 1-day nationwide strike was held to honor those killed in the September 8 demonstrations.

October 18: In the hope of ending the strikes, the government announced an overall pay policy for the public sector which included a flat-rate increase of 7,500 rials per month.

October 22: Police opened fire on demonstrators in Hamadan. As many as 19 people were reported killed.

October 23: The government announced that 1,451 prisoners would be released on October 26, the occasion of the shah's 59th birthday.

October 24: Cinemas, banks, and government buildings were set on fire during rioting in Gorgan.

October 29: A purge of SAVAK by the shah resulted in the dismissal or forcible retirement of 34 senior officials.

October 31: A strike by 37,000 employees of the National Iranian Oil Company over wages and political demands, brought the oil industry to a virtual standstill and reduced oil exports to 1.5 million barrels per day,

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1978

compared with the normal average of almost 6 million barrels per day. Strikers demanded an end to martial law, the release of all political prisoners, and the trial of General Nasiri.

November 1: Iran Air employees, demanding political concessions, went on strike.

In clashes between troops and antishah demonstrators in Sanandaj and Zarshahr, 23 persons were reported killed and 56 injured.

A large crowd marched in Tehran to commemorate the release of Ayatollah Taleqani from prison.

November 3: Dr. Sanjabi met with Ayatollah Khomeini in Paris and joined forces with the ayatollah's movement. Khomeini warned that he would expel from the movement any- one who negotiated with the shah.

November 4: Violent demonstrations erupted in Tehran as troops fired on students trying to topple a statue of the shah.

November 5: Severe riots broke out in Tehran as demonstrators ransacked and burned government buildings, banks, and stores. The British embassy was attacked and set on fire by the demonstrators, sustaining extensive damage.

Sharif-Emami and his civilian Cabinet resigned and were replaced by a military government headed by Gen. Gholam Reza Azhari, the armed forces Chief of Staff. Martial law and censorship of the press was imposed by the military government.

November 6: In a nationwide television address, the shah admitted past mistakes and promised to carry out free elections and to expand his campaign against corruption and injustice. The imposition of the military government, he announced, was a temporary measure.

In a joint statement issued in Paris, Ayatollah Kho- meini and Dr. Sanjabi ruled out any cooperation with the regime and demanded a popular referendum on the monarchy.

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1978

This was a reversal of a previously held position by Dr. Sanjabi, who had sought a genuine parliamentary process within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. Kho- meini called for the formation of a new "Islamic Repub- lic" based on "Islamic criteria."

A new session of the Parliament scheduled to open that day was postponed indefinitely.

The U.S. expressed strong support for the military government.

November 7-8: Warrants for the arrest of about 60 former officials and business leaders were issued on various charges of corruption, mismanagement, and abuse of power. Former Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveida (1965- 1977), former head of SAVAK General Nasiri and 6 former cabinet ministers were among the prominent officials arrested.

November 9: Ayatollah Khomeini criticized U.S. policy as hostile toward the "Islamic movement" and threatened to reconsider all business contracts between the two countries after the fall of the shah.

The National Front called for the continuation of strikes until a civilian government was restored.

November 11: Dr. Sanjabi was arrested in Tehran for violating martial-law regulations as he attempted to hold a news conference after his return from Paris. He again ruled out any possibility of cooperation with the regime.

President Carter expressed dissatisfaction with the intelligence community's failure to warn the administration of the impending political crisis in Iran.

November 12: The government ordered the oil workers back to work or to face dismissal.

Striking Iran Air employees returned to work.

November 13-14: Many of the oil workers returned to work but engaged in job slowdowns. Oil output rose to 2.2 million barrels per day.

An estimated 200 people suspected of organizing strikes in the oil fields were arrested.

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1978

November 19: The government freed 210 political prisoners as the shah renewed his pledge to end martial law and hold free elections.

November 20: The bazaar in Tehran reopened for business after more than a month-long strike.

An unknown number were killed in Mashad when troops fired on worshippers at a shrine.

November 26: A 1-day strike was carried out to mourn for the dead in Mashad.

November 28: The government imposed a curfew and a ban on all marches and unauthorized religious processions in anticipation of the holy month of Moharram, due to com- mence on December 2. The government also announced that all Iranian laws would be revised to "conform with Islamic principles" and that religious leaders would be consulted during this process.

November 30: The Majles approved a bill granting 700,000 civil servants a 25 percent pay increase, in order to end the work stoppage.

December 1-2: Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Tehran and other cities in defiance of the curfew and clashed with troops, who opened fire in- to the crowd. According to various accounts, 12 to 70 people were reported killed.

December 3: Ayatollah Khomeini called on the soldiers to leave their units if ordered to fire on demonstrators. He also urged resumption of strikes by the oil workers.

December 4: The crisis intensified as violent demonstrations continued and as thousands of workers in the oil and other industries renewed their strikes. Oil production fell to 3.8 from a high of 5.8 million barrels per day only a few days before.

A task force headed by George Ball was formed to study the effect of the Iranian crisis on the Gulf region for the Carter administration.

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1978

December 5: In his first news conference since taking office, General Azhari accused foreign-controlled sabo- teurs and atheists for fomenting discontent. He denied that Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers were the main source of government opposition.

December 6: Dr. Sanjabi was released from prison amid rumors that he had agreed to cooperate with the shah in his attempts to form a coalition government. He ruled out the possibility under "the illegal monarchy."

General Azhari threatened to halt salary payments to the striking government employees.

December 7: President Carter commented on the chances of the shah's survival: "I don't know. I hope so. This is something that is in the hands of the people of Iran."

December 8: Secret negotiations between the government and the opposition led to the lifting of the ban on public processions for 48 hours during the holy and highly emotionally charged days of Tasu'a and Ashura (December 10- 11).

December 10: Millions of antishah protestors participated in vast and peaceful processions which passed through Tehran and other cities.

December 11: Massive, and for the most part peaceful, rallies and demonstrations continued across the country, with the exception of Isfahan. There, severe rioting broke out as the demonstrators attacked the offices of SAVAK and set fire to banks, stores, movie houses, and police stations. The unofficial death toll was put as high as 50.

Amnesty International accused Iran of continued torture of political prisoners despite the government's claims to the contrary.

December 12: Oil production dropped to 1.2 million barrels per day as the workers, heeding Khomeini's appeal, refused to return to work after the religious holidays.

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In a Washington news conference, President Carter in- directly accused Khomeini of exacerbating the crisis by encouraging "bloodshed and violence." He reaffirmed U.S. " support" for the shah.

December 13: Troops and club-wielding proshah supporters held a demonstration in Isfahan, attacking motor- ists who refused to blow their horns or display portraits of the shah on their windshields. At least 51 people were killed during the rioting.

Ayatollah Khomeini warned foreign heads of state that their continued support for the shah would deprive them of Iranian oil and would lead to the abrogation of bilateral treaties after the Islamic government gained power.

The U.S. embassy staff in Tehran was bolstered by the arrival of additional specialists. The administration denied a report from embassy sources that the move was aimed at strengthening the shah's efforts to maintain power.

December 14: In an incident marking the deteriora- tion of discipline within the armed forces, 12 officers were reported killed and several others injured when 3 antishah soldiers of the Imperial Guard opened fire on them in the Lavizan army base in Tehran. The government blamed the incident on terrorists wearing army uniforms.

December 13-14: In order to find a solution to the deteriorating political climate, separate discussions were held between the shah's advisers and various opposition leaders, including Sanjabi, Bazargan, and Amini, who was the shah's prime minister in the early 1960s. A plan was submitted by Amini suggesting the establishment of an in- terim regency council pending the formation of a coalition government after parliamentary elections in June. The shah rejected the proposal. Sanjabi had reportedly gone further by linking the formation of the council to the shah's willingness to abdicate.

December 17: Another attempt to find a solution to the stalemate between the shah and the opposition was thwarted when a compromise plan submitted by Dr. Gholam

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Hosayn Sadiqi, a former interior minister under Dr. Mosad- deq, was accepted by the shah but failed to gain the approval of the opposition. The plan, based on longstanding demands of the liberal opposition, called for the reorgani- zation of SAVAK, the reduction of the shah's powers to those of a constitutional monarch, a government fully responsible to Parliament, an independent judiciary, and a free press. The plan was not endorsed by the National Front or Ayatollah Khomeini, who refused to accept any compromise unless the shah agreed to a referendum on the monarchy.

December 18: Oil and other industrial workers staged a general strike, in response to a call by Khomeini and the National Front.

An army unit was recalled to the barracks in Tabriz after some soldiers refused to obey orders and joined antishah demonstrations.

December 23: Demonstrations continued in Tehran, Tabriz, Mashad, and other cities. In clashes between troops and demonstrators in Mashad, 13 to 29 people were reported killed.

December 24: Tear gas was used by U.S. Marine guards to disperse a crowd of anti-American demonstrators who gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

December 25: In an address before a rally attended by his supporters, Dr. Sanjabi called for the abdication of the shah, which he saw as the only solution to Iran's political crisis.

December 26-27: The export of crude oil was halted and domestic consumption rationed as the strikes by the oil workers continued.

December 28: Clashes between troops and demonstrators in Ahvaz resulted in 30 deaths while troops also fired upon crowds in Tehran and Qazvin.

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December 29: Dr. Shapur Bakhtiyar, a longstanding opponent of the regime and a prominent member of the Na- tional Front, was appointed prime minister by the shah. It was later revealed, on January 1, that Dr. Bakhtiyar's acceptance was based upon four conditions: the shah leave Iran; SAVAK be disbanded; military and police personnel responsible for shooting demonstrators be tried; and, Iran's foreign affairs be put in the hands of civilians.

December 30: The appointment of Dr. Bakhtiyar was denounced by Khomeini and the National Front, which ex- pelled the new prime minister from the movement.

December 30-31: Mashad and several other cities were the scene of violent clashes between troops and antishah demonstrators. Up to 170 civilians were reported killed in Mashad, according to the authorities. The death toll was placed in the hundreds by the opposition.

1979

January 1-2: Demonstrations and unrest continued throughout the country in opposition to the new government. Qazvin, in particular, was the scene of severe rioting where up to 100 people were reported killed.

January 3: Dr. Bakhtiyar received the approval of the Majles to form a government.

In a news conference held in Tehran, Dr. Bakhtiyar announced the decision of the shah to leave the country temporarily after the formation of the new government. A regency council was to be chosen to rule in the shah's absence.

January 4: A statement issued by the National Front condemned Dr. Bakhtiyar for "betraying our cause."

The shah signed a decree appointing Dr. Bakhtiyar the prime minister.

The U.S. indicated its willingness to cooperate with the new government.

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January 5: After consultation with the representative of Ayatollah Khomeini, the National Front and the government oil workers agreed to produce enough oil to meet domestic requirements.

January 6: Dr. Bakhtiyar's cabinet, consisting largely of professionals unknown in political circles, was formally presented to the shah.

The shah announced his intention to leave Iran for rest and vacation as soon as order was restored in the country.

Calling obedience to the new government "obedience to Satan," Ayatollah Khomeini urged the civil service employees to refuse to obey the new ministers and to bar their entrance to ministry buildings.

Dr. Bakhtiyar ended press censorship, paving the way for resumption of news publication for the first time in nearly 2 months.

A crowd of some 100,000 people demonstrated against the Bakhtiyar government in Qom.

January 7: Demonstrations took place in Tehran, Yazd, Ardebil, and other cities in response to a call by the opposition.

January 8: Tabriz was the scene of violent demonstrations as mobs set fires to movie theaters, schools, shops, and other buildings. Demonstrations were held in Tehran, Qazvin, Isfahan, and other cities as well.

The presence in Iran of Gen. Robert E. Huyser, Deputy Chief of U.S. Forces in Europe, was disclosed by the State Department. Huyser's mission, according to the disclosure, was to bolster military support in Iran for the civilian government.

January 9: Members of the royal family were ordered by the shah to surrender all their private holdings to the Pahlavi Foundation, which was both a family trust and a charitable organization.

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January 11: Dr. Bakhtiyar presented his Cabinet to the Majiles for approval. A 17-point program proposed by the new government included the following: the dissolution of SAVAK; trial and punishment of human rights violators; the release of and monetary compensation to political prisoners; a greater role for the religious leaders in the government and in drafting legislation; the gradual abolition of martial law; and a halt to the exportation of oil to Israel and South Africa.

Soon after the government lifted martial law in Shiraz, the American flag was burned by a mob in front of the U.S. consulate. SAVAK buildings were also set on fire. At least 14 people died.

January 13: The formation of a 9-man Regency Council was announced by the government, paving the way for the shah's departure. Dr. Sanjabi and other prominent opposition leaders refused to join the council, which was headed by Sayyed Jalaleddin Tehrani, a former minister loyal to the shah.

Challenging the legitimacy of the Bakhtiyar government, Ayatollah Khomeini announced the establishment of a Council of the Islamic Revolution, which was to serve as a shadow Cabinet responsible for the formation of a "pro- vincial government" to replace the "illegal government of Bakhtiyar. "

January 15: Bakhtiyar's government was approved by the Majiles.

January 16: The shah left Iran for an extended "vacation" in Egypt.

Ayatollah Khomeini restated his intention to form a provisional government and to set up a constituent assembly responsible for drafting a new constitution. He also called on all government officials, the Regency Council, and the members of Parliament to resign.

January 17: In a news conference President Carter reaffirmed U.S. -Iranian ties and expressed support for the "legal" government of Dr. Bakhtiyar.

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Ayatollah Khomeini and the National Front urged their followers to continue with their strikes and demonstrations against the Bakhtiyar government. Khomeini also appealed to the armed forces to join the Islamic movement and demanded that the shah return to Iran to face trial and punishment.

In response to Khomeini's call, the minister of justice, Mr. Vaziri, and 15 members of the Majles resigned.

January 18: Mr. Tehrani flew to Paris to meet with Ayatollah Khomeini.

Demonstrations erupted in Ahvaz, Dezful, Tehran and other cities in response to the call by Ayatollah Khomeini.

January 20: Ayatollah Khomeini stated his decision to return to Iran on January 26.

January 22: Mr. Tehrani resigned as the head of the Regency Council in response to Ayatollah Khomeini's call. He handed his resignation to the Ayatollah in Paris.

The shah left Egypt to take up residence in Morocco.

January 23: Bazargan urged Prime Minister Bakhtiyar to resign.

January 24: Dr. Bakhtiyar ordered the airports closed to prevent the return of Ayatollah Khomeini to Iran when attempts at compromise between the two sides failed. Dr. Bakhtiyar had offered to resign within 4 months and to let the people's preference for a monarchy or a republic be decided by a referendum if Khomeini agreed not to go ahead with the establishment of a provisional government. Bakhtiyar also called on Khomeini to postpone his return for at least 3 weeks.

The Bakhtiyar government introduced 2 bills in the Majles providing for the dissolution of SAVAK and the establishment of legal procedures for prosecuting the wrongdoings of former government officials. Both bills were adopted on February S.

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January 25: Some 100,000 people demonstrated in Tehran in support of Dr. Bakhtiyar.

The government reimposed a ban on public demonstrations.

Ayatollah Khomeini agreed to delay his return.

January 26-29: Violent and massive demonstrations were held in Tehran and other cities in defiance of the government ban.

January 27: Dr. Bakhtiyar offered to fly to Paris to meet with the ayatollah to discuss the "future of the nation." Khomeini refused to meet with him unless he resigned first.

January 29: Anti-American slogans were chanted by Iranian soldiers stationed inside the U.S. embassy in Tehran to protect the compounds. In Isfahan the American consul was beaten by a crowd as he attempted to assist another American arguing with a cab driver.

January 30: The government announced its decision to open the airports and allow Ayatollah Khomeini to return.

The U.S. government ordered the "temporary departure" of all American dependents and nonessential government personnel in Iran.

February 1: Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran. Some 3 million people gathered in Tehran to greet him. The ayatollah declared his plan to form a provisional government and asked for Dr. Bakhtiyar's resignation.

Martial law was lifted in Tehran.

February 2: Dr. Bakhtiyar offered to form a government of "national unity" which would include the supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini. The offer was rejected by Khomeini, who again urged all government officials to resign.

February 5: Mehdi Bazargan was appointed prime minister of the proposed provisional government by Ayatollah Khomeini. Mr. Bazargan was a member of the National Front

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and had served 5 years in prison in the early 1960s because of his opposition to the shah.

Dr. Bakhtiyar appeared before the Majles and reiterated his refusal to resign. Some 57 members had already resigned their seats at the urging of Khomeini.

February 6: The U.S. government reiterated its support for Dr. Bakhtiyar and the "constitutional process" in Iran.

The U.S. government disclosed the return of General Huyser from Iran.

February 7: Dr. Bakhtiyar suffered a severe set- back as the followers of Khomeini took virtual control of the administrative, police, and judicial functions in Is- fahan, Qom, Shiraz, and to a lesser extent in other cities.

February 8: Dr. Bakhtiyar dismissed Khomeini's Is- lamic Republic as "archaic and medieval."

Mostly peaceful pro-Khomeini demonstrations were held in Tehran and other cities by millions of people including some uniformed soldiers.

February 9: In an address at the University of Teh- ran, Mr. Bazargan announced some of his major proposals. They included the immediate resignation of Bakhtiyar's government, a popular referendum on the establishment of an Islamic Republic, appointment of a constituent council to draft a new constitution, and the formation of a per- manent government based on a new charter.

February 9-10: Troops from the Imperial Guard attacked demonstrating pro-Khomeini Air Force cadets and technicians at Doshan Tappeh air base in Tehran. Fight- ing intensified the next day as each side rushed reinforce- ments to the scene. The battle was joined by thousands of antigovernment civilians who took control of several military garrisons including Doshan Tappeh, seizing the weapons inside.

In a broadcast on February 10, Dr. Bakhtiyar said that the fighting would have "no effect on me."

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February 11: Thousands of armed civilians, Islamic militiamen, and pro-Khomeini troops fought to take control of military installations in Tehran and other cities. Sev- eral high-ranking military commanders were arrested or killed during the fighting. Others were captured as they attempted to flee the country.

The Army's Supreme Council ordered the troops back to their barracks and assured Mr. Bazargan that the military was prepared to recognize his provisional government.

Dr. Bakhtiyar officially resigned as prime minister and went into hiding. Members of the cabinet and Regency Council also resigned.

February 12: Ayatollah Khomeini asked for the surrender of all weapons during a radio broadcast, as fighting among rival groups and disorder continued.

The shah's Niavaran Palace was captured by Khomeini supporters.

February 12-13: Mr. Bazargan began filling cabinet positions for his new provisional government with a mix- ture of close Khomeini aides, National Front leaders, and technocrats. Dr. Sanjabi was appointed foreign minister.

February 13: The Tudeh Party (Iran's communist party) expressed its support for Ayatollah Khomeini.

February 14: Several hundred people were reported killed in Tabriz as fighting broke out between guerrilla groups on one hand and the Army and SAVAK elements on the other.

The People's Fedayeen, a left-wing guerrilla group numbering 2,000 to 4,000, issued a list of demands to the government. The demands included equal rights for men and women, nationalization of all industry, and the expulsion of all foreign military advisers from Iran.

The U.S. embassy in Tehran was attacked by Marxist gunmen who forced their way into the chancery after they had overpowered the Marine guards. The embassy personnel, including Ambassador William H. Sullivan, were held hostage at gunpoint for nearly 2 hours. They were freed after the attackers were dispersed by armed Khomeini forces. The

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attack was reportedly in retaliation for suspected colla- boration between the embassy and SAVAK.

February 15: The People's Fedayeen was charged by government officials for attacks on foreign embassies and other disruptive activities.

The government announced that on March 30-31 a referendum on the establishment of an Islamic Republic would be held. The question to be put to every voter was: "Are you for the replacement of the monarchy by an Islamic Republic, the constitution of which will be approved - yes or no?"

February 16: Four high-ranking generals including General Nasiri, the former head of SAVAK, were executed.

February 17: Workers in the oil industry and other sectors began to return to their jobs at the urging of Ayatollah Khomeini. Many, however, remained on strike as a show of sympathy for the leftist groups.

The 30,000-man Imperial Guard was dissolved by Gen- eral Qarani, the new armed forces Chief of Staff.

February 20: Four more high-ranking military officers were executed as the purge against officials of the former regime continued. The executions, carried out without the knowledge of Mr. Bazargan, were directed by the newly formed Islamic Revolutionary Council whose member- ship remained secret.

The U.S. consulate in Tabriz, Shiraz, and Isfahan were temporarily closed due to a lack of adequate security.

February 21: A draft constitution was published in the Tehran press.

Kenneth Kraus, a U.S. Marine Sergeant kidnapped from a hospital on February 14 by Khomeini supporters, was released after intense U.S. pressure. Kraus had been injured during the attack on the U.S. embassy.

February 23: More than 70,000 people attended a rally staged by the Fedayeen in Tehran. The rally was called to demand the inclusion of the Fedayeen and other leftist groups in the government.

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February 24: Mr. Bazargan announced the dissolution of SAVAK.

February 28: Mr. Bazargan threatened to resign if the Revolutionary Council did not cease its interference in his government. The prime minister was particularly angered over arrests, secret trials, and executions of former officials conducted by the council outside of the formal government channels.

March 1: A list of 8 demands for autonomy was presented to the government by Shaykh Ezzeddin Hosayni, the spiritual leader of the Kurs.

Ayatollah Khomeini took up residence in Qom. He urged the ratification of the referendum establishing an Islamic Republic.

March 5: The Swiss government rejected an Iranian request to freeze the shah's assets held in Switzerland.

After a 69-day interruption, oil exports were resumed. Khomeini ordered the formation of the Revolutionary Guards in support of his Islamic Movement. They were to perform a paramilitary role combining army and police functions.

March 7: A new secular political party called the Society of the National Movement of Iran was formed, rep- resenting the more active members of the National Front. Earlier in the week, the formation of the National Demo- cratic Front was announced by its leader, Mr. Matine- Daftari.

Khomeini accused Bazargan's provisional government of being "weak" and under Western influence. He also announced that female government employees should dress according to "religious standards."

March 8: In response to Khomeini's attack, Bazargan reportedly handed in his resignation to the ayatollah during their meeting in Qom, but agreed to stay on when an apparent understanding was reached between the two regarding the authority of the Revolutionary Council, which had become a rival to the provisional government.

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March 8-12: Thousands of women staged demonstrations in Tehran and other cities, denouncing Ayatollah Khomeini's dress code and recent government actions which they felt violated their rights. Earlier in the week the 1963 Family Protection Law was abrogated.

March 9: Addressing a rally, Khomeini expressed his "full confidence" in the provisional government.

March 12: Ayatollah Shari'atmadari criticized the proposed referendum, which gave the people a choice between a monarchy and an Islamic Republic. This, he argued, restricted freedom of choice and opinion.

March 13: Eleven more generals were summarily executed in Tehran after their convictions in secret trials.

March 14: In a television address Bazargan denounced the summary trials and executions as "irreligious, inhu- mane, and a disgrace," violating universal human rights. He also criticized Ayatollah Khomeini's interference in his government.

March 16: The ayatollah placed a ban on all trials and executions of former government officials and ordered the Revolutionary Council to draft new trial procedures. This directive was issued after a meeting with Bazargan the preceding day.

March 18: The Mojahedin and Fedayeen denounced the upcoming referendum for not allowing freedom of choice.

March 18-21: Heavy fighting broke out between Kurd- ish tribesmen, demanding political autonomy, and government forces in Sanandaj. The fighting was initiated during a Kurdish demonstration against the refusal of the local revolutionary committee to supply weapons to the Kurdish street patrols. At least 200 people were reported killed.

March 20: The National Democratic Front criticized the upcoming referendum.

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According to a commentary in the Tehran Journal, more than 20,000 political prisoners were being held by the new regime and under worse conditions than before the revolution.

March 25: In a major concession, the government announced its intention to grant limited autonomy to the Kurds, including the freedom to run Kurdish-speaking schools in the region. Additionally, Mr. Ibrahim Yunesi, a Kurd, was appointed governor-general of Kurdistan province.

March 26: Fighting broke out between the Turkoman tribesmen, seeking autonomy, and government forces in Gun- bad Qabus.

More than 113 Kurdish prisoners held in Sanandaj by the army were released.

March 27: The armed forces Chief of Staff, Qarani, resigned his post.

March 29: Fighting continued between the Turkoman rebels and government forces. Unrest was also reported among the Baluchi tribesmen.

March 30: The shah and his family left Morocco for the Bahamas.

March 30-31: The formation of the Islamic Republic was approved in a nationwide referendum. The referendum was marred by boycotts in the Kurdish and Turkoman areas and the refusal of a dozen groups to participate.

April 1: Ayatol lah Khomeini proclaimed the establishment of the Islamic Republic, calling it the "first day of government by God."

April 2: The government announced a cease-fire between its troops and the Turkoman forces.

April 5: New trial procedures were announced for the revolutionary courts, giving them fixed jurisdiction in murder and torture cases.

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April 7-13: Secret trials and summary executions were resumed and 35 high-ranking civilians and military officials of the shah's regime were executed by firing squads. Former Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveida was among those executed on April 7.

April 10: The executions were denounced by the Na- tional Democratic Front and the International Commission of Jurists.

April 13: Two sons and a daughter-in-law of Ayatol- lah Mahmud Taleqani, the spiritual leader of Tehran, were arrested by the komiteh on charges of leftist activities. They were subsequently released, as ordered by Khomeini.

April 14: Ayatollah Taleqani went into hiding to protest the arrests and the undisciplined actions of the komiteh, which he held responsible for the chaos in the country.

April 15: Foreign Minister Sanjabi resigned. His resignation was prompted by the excessive interference of the Revolutionary Council and its komitehs in domestic and foreign politics of the provisional government. "The komitehs," according to a government official, "are complete- ly out of control. The Revolutionary Council can no longer keep its hold on them."

April 15-17: Thousands of people demonstrated in Tehran in support of Ayatollah Taleqani.

Ayatollah Taleqani announced his retirement from politics so as "not to give a chance to dictatorship and despotism to return."

Dr. Sanjabi accused the Revolutionary Council of being despotic.

April 19: After a meeting with Khomeini, Taleqani retracted his previous statement and in a television inter- viewpraised the komiteh for its work in fighting anti-revolutionary forces. Khomeini announced that the komiteh would have to remain until the government established its full authority.

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April 20-23: In Tehran and other cities 12 more former officials were tried and executed.

April 21: Fighting broke out between the Kurdish and Turkish minorities in Naghadeh, Azerbaijan. The Kurds accused the pro-Khomeini Turks of a plot to disrupt the open- ing ceremonies of the Kurdistan Democratic Party's branch office.

April 22: Government troops moved to Naghadeh as the fighting intensified.

April 23: Ayatollah Taher Shobayr Khaqani, the religious leader of the Arabs in Khuzistan, threatened to leave Iran unless the komitehs' powers were curbed.

Major General Qarani was assassinated in Tehran. The Forghan Fighters, an Islamic socialist group opposed to political involvement on the part of Muslim clergy, claimed credit.

April 24: Bazargan denounced the actions of the Is- lamic courts, the komiteh, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, accusing them of conducting a "rule of revenge" and interfering with the affairs of the government.

Dr. Yazdi was named foreign minister as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.

April 25: Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani, the supreme com- mander of Iran's central komiteh, announced the purging of corrupt elements within his organization. The action fol- lowed the recent criticism of the komitehs by both religious and secular leaders.

Nearly 100,000 turned out for the public funeral of Major General Qarani.

April 26: More than 100,000 Arabs demonstrated in Khuzistan in support of Ayatollah Khaqani and for Arab autonomy.

A cease-fire was announced between the Kurds and the Turks in Naghadeh and both sides exchanged hostages. At least 1,000 people were reported to have been killed in the 5 days of fighting.

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April 28: A preliminary draft of the new constitution was published.

May 1: Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, a leading member of the Islamic Revolutionary Council, was assassinated in Tehran. The Forghan Fighters claimed responsibility.

May 2: Dr. Yazdi stated that he had asked the U.S. government to freeze the assets of the Pahlavi Foundation.

May 5: Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the formation of a security militia, to be called the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution, who would be responsible only to the Islamic Revolutionary Council. The militia was created, according to Khomeini, to "protect the Islamic Revolution."

May 7-8: Executions of 22 former military and civilian officials took place.

May 9: Several persons, among them 2 wealthy businessmen, were executed on charges of corruption and anti- state activities. This marked the first executions of private individuals rather than former government officials.

May 12: Ayandegan, a leading independent daily, ceased publication because of a dispute with Khomeini and his followers regarding censorship and freedom of the press. Khomeini assailed the paper as "depraved" and "deviationist."

May 13: Ayatollah Sadeq Khalkhali, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, issued death sentences in ab- sentia for the shah, his family, and former officials living abroad.

May 15: Journalists at the daily, Kayhan, walked out to protest the government's encroachment on freedom of the press. The walkout was precipitated by a group of newspaper workers, supporting Khomeini, blocking the entrance of 20 reporters to the building on the grounds that they were "counterrevolutionaries."

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May 17: The U.S. Senate adopted a resolution con- demning the summary executions in Iran without due process of law.

May 19: More than 100,000 people participated in a Tehran demonstration organized by the National Democratic Front. They were protesting the government's censorship of the press and the closing down of Ayandegan.

May 20: The government declared that the U.S. Senate resolution was a violation of its internal affairs and ad- vised the U.S. to delay sending the new ambassador, Walter Cutler, to Tehran.

May 23: Mr. Bazargan reiterated his complaints regarding the Revolutionary Council's interference in government affairs, saying that Iran had become a nation of "hundreds of chiefs."

May 24: Khomeini unleashed a verbal attack on the liberal and secular critics of the Islamic regime. He urged his followers to wage a struggle against those whose paths are 'separate from Islam."

May 24-25: Thousands of demonstrators converged on the U.S. embassy in Tehran to protest the U.S. Senate resolution. Separate demonstrations were organized by the Islamic Revolutionary Party and the Fedayeen, who in turn clashed with each other.

May 24: Hojjatolislam Hashemi Rafsanjani (an aide to Ayatollah Khomeini) was shot and wounded in Tehran. The Forghan Fighters claimed responsibility.

May 26: Ayatollah Khomeini accused the U.S. and other super powers for recent assassinations and for at- tempting to kill the revolution.

May 28: Mr. Bazargan criticized the multipolarity of the power centers, which was making the functioning of his government impossible.

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Mr. Hasan Nazih, the director of the National Iranian Oil Company, was critical of Khomeini's declaration label- ing those opposed to the religious leadership enemies of the revolution.

May 30-31: Government troops clashed with ethnic Arabs seeking autonomy in Khorramshahr. Fighting erupted when Revolutionary Guards stormed 2 buildings housing the Arab Cultural and Political Organization. An estimated 100-200 people were reported killed in the fighting and more than 600 wounded.

June 2: The National Democratic Front accused Kho- meini of "dictatorship" and the abandonment of earlier pledges to keep himself and the clergy out of the government's daily activities.

Taleqani also criticized the expanding role of the clergy in the government and urged them to "stay in the mosque where they can teach the people."

June 4: The government refused to accept the appointment of Walter Cutler as the new U.S. ambassador. It requested that the U.S. withdraw his nomination.

June 5: Ayatollah Khomeini warned lawyers, writers, Western-oriented intellectuals, and other secular critics who "oppose Islam" to take heed or be destroyed by the "same fist that destroyed the shah."

June 6: Admiral Madani, Governor General of Khuzis- tan, and Ayatollah Khaqani signed an 8-point peace plan.

June 7: The government nationalized 37 private banks, including 14 with appreciable foreign investments.

June 10: The shah left the Bahamas for Mexico, which had granted him a 6-month tourist visa.

The nationalized foreign banks were assured of "full compensation" by the government.

June 11: Ayatollah Khomeini accused the U.S.S.R. of interfering in the internal affairs of Iran and Afghanistan.

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June 18: The draft of a new constitution was offi-. cially published, subject to approval by a popular referendum. The draft was criticized by the minorities and other groups whose expectations it did not fulfill.

June 22: A rally at Tehran University demanding a popularly elected constituent assembly to draft a new constitution was broken up by Khomeini supporters. The government's current plans called for an appointed 75-member Council of Examiners to study the proposed constitution.

June 25: The government nationalized all insurance companies.

July 1: The government announced its proposal for the formation of a 73-member constituent assembly to ex- amine the draft constitution. The body was to be elected in a nationwide ballot.

July 5: Virtually all of Iran's large-scale industries were nationalized, including companies with large foreign investments. The nature and procedures for compensation were not disclosed.

July 7: The Black Wednesday guerrillas, composed of ethnic Arabs, bombed 2 oil pipelines near Abandan.

July 8: Mr. Taqi Haj Tarkani, the founder of a theological center in Tehran and a strong supporter of Khomeini, was assassinated by the Forghan Fighters.

July 9: A general amnesty was declared by Ayatollah Khomeini. It applied to some 3,000 political prisoners held in various jails.

July 10: The shah left the Bahamas for residence in Mexico.

July 15: The government executed 5 alleged members of Black Wednesday in Khuzistan. Sporadic clashes and unrest continued in the province.

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Clashes also took place in Azerbaijan between the ethnic Turks and the Revolutionary Guards.

Hojjatolislam Razi Shirazi, Chief of an Islamic Ko- miteh, was shot and wounded in Tehran.

July 18: Mr. Bazargan met with Ayatollah Khomeini in Qom.

July 19: Bazargan announced an agreement with Kho- meini which allowed for the sharing of power between the provisional government and the Revolutionary Council. The agreement was to promote a unity of decision by bridging the rift between the two power centers. Four members of the Revolutionary Council were to serve as ministers in Bazargan's government in exchange for the participation of some Cabinet members in the deliberations of the Revo- lutionary Council.

July 23: Ayatollah Khomeini banned the playing of music on radio and television stations. The directive was widely ignored.

A new press code was announced by the government, placing severe restrictions on the activities of foreign correspondents. Several correspondents were ordered to leave the country.

July 26: Fighting broke out between the Kurds and government troops in Marivan when the government attempted to take over the police and paramilitary functions in the area. About 30,000 residents left the city for the surrounding mountains to protest the government's actions.

August 3: Nationwide balloting was held to elect the 73 members of the Constituent Assembly that would draft a new constitution. The National Democratic Front, the Pan Iranist Party, the Muslim People's Republican Party and the Arab People's Political Organization were among some 20 groups boycotting the elections.

August 7: The Islamic Revolutionary Guards occupied the offices of the newspaper Ayandegan, arrested most of its staff, and confiscated the day's issues.

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The newspaper was alleged by the government to have links with foreign secret services.

August 8: A new press law went into effect requir- ing all publications to obtain a license from the government. Stiff penalties were provided for the publication of untrustworthy or defamatory reports about religious and other leaders. Officials of the shah's regime or those persons associated with him were forbidden to write articles for newspapers or magazines.

August 9: Protesters against the new press law clashed with the law's supporters in Tehran.

August 11: The official results of the election for the Constituent Assembly were announced. Out of 73 seats, 60 were captured by the clergy and Muslim conservatives, among them 18 ayatollahs and 21 hojjatolislams.

August 12: Islamic militants attacked a demonstration called by the National Democratic Front to protest the new press law and the close of Ayandegan. Hundreds of people were injured.

August 14: Heavy fighting broke out between government troops and the Kurds for the control of Paveh, near the Iraq border.

August 18: There were 400 persons reported killed and hundreds more injured when reinforced government troops assaulted Paveh in order to crush the Kurdish revolt.

August 19: Khomeini ordered a general mobilization of the armed forces to put down the Kurdish rebellion. The Kurdish Democratic Party, blamed for the violence in Paveh, was banned by Khomeini.

August 20: Khomeini ordered the closing of 22 newspapers and magazines, including those of the National Demo- cratic Front and Fedayeen. The Tudeh and the National Dem- ocratic Front headquarters in Tehran were ransacked and a

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warrant was issued for the arrest of Matin-Daftari for antigovernment activities.

August 27: An informal truce was agreed upon between the government forces and the Kurdish rebels after a week of intense fighting in Kurdistan. The cease fire was to pave the way for further negotiations on the question of Kurdish autonomy.

August 28: Khomeini rejected the truce and ordered his troops to crush the Kurdish rebellion.

Twenty Kurds, among them 9 government soldiers accused of aiding the rebels, were executed for their involvement in the rebellion. This brought the total number of Kurds executed since August 14 to 65.

August 31: Mr. Bazargan tendered his resignation and asked Ayatollah Khomeini to officially take over the reins of government. Bazargan's government was criticized for lacking revolutionary zeal and for mishandling the Kurdish revolt.

September 4: Mehabad, the center of the Kurdish rebellion, fell to government forces as the 10,000 Kurdish defenders, under heavy air and artillery attack, were forced to abandon the city.

September 6: The town of Sardasht, the last strong- hold of the Kurdish rebels, was captured by government troops.

September 9: The government nationalized 2 large daily newspapers, Kayhan and Ettela'at, on the basis that they had been "the pillars of the former regime."

September 10: Ayatollah Taleqani died of natural causes.

September 12: The Constituent Assembly approved a clause in the new constitution granting supreme power to the Faqih (principal religious leader).

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September 24: Fighting resumed between the Kurdish and Arab minorities on the one hand and the government forces on the other.

September 28: Hasan Nazih, Chairman of the National Iranian Oil Company and an outspoken critic of the clergy, was dismissed by Mr. Bazargan in a Cabinet reshuffle. The Justice Ministry had earlier in the week filed charges against Mr. Nazih, accusing him of attacks against Islam.

October 2: Bruce Laingen, the U.S. charge d'affaires in Tehran, was appointed the new ambassador to Iran. His appointment awaited confirmation.

October 4: Eight persons were executed in Abadan on charges of sabotage and armed rebellion.

October 5: The U.S. resumed shipment of military spare parts to Iran.

October 7: A 72-man troop convoy was virtually wiped out by Kurdish rebels near Sardasht. Only 5 were reported to have survived.

October 10: The Kurds captured several frontier posts previously held by the government.

October 12: Kurds surrounded the governor's office in Mahabad and took a government representative hostage.

October 14: The hostage was released by the Kurds as part of an ongoing peace negotiation between the two sides.

October 18: Khomeini ordered a general ban on executions.

October 20: The Kurds retook Mahabad after heavy fighting with government troops.

October 22: The shah flew to New York City for a gall-bladder operation.

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November 1: Mr. Bazargan and Dr. Yazdi met with Dr. Brzezinski, the U.S. national security adviser, to discuss U.S. -Iran relations. They were all in Algiers attending the 25th anniversary of the Algerian Revolution.

November 4: Mr. Bazargan was widely criticized by the clergy and the Islamic leadership for the Algiers meeting with Dr. Brzezinski.

The U.S. embassy was attacked and seized by Iranian students, and 66 Americans were taken hostage, including the charge d'affaires and 2 others who were held in the Iranian foreign ministry. The captors demanded the return of the shah by the U.S. to Iran in exchange for the release of the hostages.

November 5: The British embassy was attacked and occupied for 5 hours.

Khomeini condoned the takeover of the U.S. embassy. The government announced the cancellation of all mil-

itary treaties with the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The Carter administration rejected the captors de-

mands for the return of the shah to Iran in exchange for the hostages.

November 6: Proclaiming that "it has become impossible for me and my colleagues to perform our duty," Mr. Bazargan and his cabinet resigned. The Revolutionary Council was ordered by Khomeini to take charge of the government.

November 9: The U.N. Security Council unanimously called for the release of the American hostages.

November 11: Khomeini denounced the U.S. for its support of the shah and rejected all mediation efforts by the pope and others for the release of the hostages.

November 12: President Carter suspended American oil imports from Iran.

November 14: President Carter froze Iranian assets in the U.S.

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November 18: Ayatollah Khomeini accused the hostages. of espionage and threatened to try them as spies.

November 19-20: Thirteen hostages, 5 women and 8 black men, were released because of "Islam's respect for women and the oppressed.1"

November 26: Ayatollah Shari'atmadari denounced the seizure of the U.S. embassy and the taking of the hostages.

Khomeini urged the Revolutionary Guards to recruit 20 million men and women in the event of an American invasion.

November 27: The U.N. Security Council debate on the hostages was postponed at the request of Abol-Hasan Bani- sadr, the new Iranian foreign minister, so that he could attend the proceedings.

November 28: Khomeini denounced the U.N. meeting and relieved Mr. Banisadr of his post because of his willingness to attend. Mr. Sadeq Ghotbzadeh was appointed foreign minister.

November 29: Mexico announced its decision not to allow the shah to return to the country.

December 2: The shah was discharged from a New York hospital and flown to a military hospital at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

December 2-3: The new Islamic constitution was over- whelmingly approved by a nationwide plebiscite. The referendum was widely boycotted in Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Baluchistan, where the ethnic minorities found various provisions of the proposed charter unacceptable.

Ayatollah Shari'atmadari was particularly critical of Articles 5, 107, and 110 of the Constitution and the sweeping powers given to the Faqih.

December 5: The home of Ayatollah Shari'atmadari in Qom was attacked b) Khomeini supporters because of his criticism of the constitution.

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1979 December 6: Angered by the attack on Ayatollah

Shari'atmadari's home, demonstrators in Tabriz took over the radio and television stations and occupied government buildings, virtually wrenching control from the central authorities. A broadcast from the occupied radio station proclaimed Shari'atmadari to be the leader of all the world's Shi'ite Muslims.

December 9: Khomeini and Shari'atmadari supporters battled each other for the possession of the radio and television stations.

December 10: A government delegation headed by Bani- sadr arrived in Tabriz to negotiate an end to the worsening situation in Azerbaijan. A similar mission was dispatched to Kurdistan to calm the Kurds.

The U.S. appealed to the International Court of Jus- tice for a ruling on the release of the hostages.

December 10-11: In a rebuff to Khomeini, Shari'atmadari refused to order the Muslim People's Republican Party in Azerbaijan to disband. He also disclosed that he had not voted in the constitutional referendum because of his opposition to various provisions in the charter.

December 13: A huge crowd of more than 700,000 turned out in Tabriz in support of Shari'atmadari. They denounced the new constitution, demanded the release of Azerbaijani dissidents held by the government, and removal of the non-Azerbaijani militia from the province.

December 15: The shah left the U.S. for Panama. In a unanimous ruling, the International Court of

Justice called for the release of the Americans held hostage.

December 18: Gunmen shot and killed Mohammad Mofat- teh, dean of the Divinity College of Tehran, and his two bodyguards. The Forghan Fighters claimed credit for the murders.

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December 20-22: Fighting was reported in Sistan and Baluchistan between the Shi'ite Sistani and Sunni Baluchi tribes. The traditional religious and ethnic rivalries between the two groups were exacerbated by the constitutional referendum, which was boycotted by the Baluchis.

December 25: U.S. clergymen visited the hostages and conducted Christmas ceremonies for them.

December 27: Nine Revolutionary Guards were taken hostage in Tabriz by Ayatollah Shari'atmadari supporters as the unrest in the province continued.

December 30: The secretary general of the U.N., Kurt Waldheim, left for Iran in connection with the hostage situation.

1980

January 2: The 9 Revolutionary Guards taken hostage in Tabriz were released.

January 3: Secretary General Waldheim met with the Revolutionary Council but was denied a meeting with Aya- tollah Khomeini.

January 4: Khomeini and Shari'atmadari followers clashed in Tabriz.

January 7-9: Fighting between the Revolutionary Guards and Shari'atmadari's supporters continued in Tabriz.

January 8: Ayatollah Shari'atmadari appealed to his followers for calm and to refrain from violence in Azerbaij an.

January 10: Fighting in Azerbaijan subsided after the government imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the province.

Authorities announced the arrest of the Forghan leader, Mr. Akbar Goudarzi and 15 of his followers in a Tehran hide- out.

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January 12: Eleven Azerbaijanis were executed in Tabriz. They were first arrested by the Revolutionary Guards in a raid of the Muslim People's Republican Party building. The execution touched off the renewal of violence in the area.

January 13: The U.N. Security Council resolution to impose economic sanctions on Iran was vetoed by the Soviet Union.

January 19: Twenty-five Air Force officers were arrested in Tabriz and accused of supplying arms to the outlawed Muslim People's Republican Party and for plotting to overthrow the regime.

January 25: Mr. Abol-Hasan Banisadr was elected the first president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, cap- turing more than 75 percent of the popular votes cast.

IRANIAN STUDIES 368



Documents

Iranian Revolution in Perspective || A Chronological Survey of the Iranian Revolution