It’s been 43 years since the Islamic Revolution in Iran; a popular uprising that toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime, changing the course of the country's history.
Led from exile in France by Ayatollah Rohullah Khomeini, the uprising toppled a US-backed despotic monarchy, and replaced it with an Islamic Republic, ushering in an era of political freedoms and independence from foreign influence.
To the Shah’s western backers, the perceived ‘loss’ of a modernized Iran under his rule to an Islamic republic was a consequential blow to their interests in the region. What followed was four difficult decades that saw a devastating western backed war in the 80s, an ongoing economic war, military threats, and relentless demonization.
To other non-Iranians, the Revolution has qualities that make it relevant to the world today.
For over four decades now, Iran has defied many of those who predicted the Revolution’s imminent collapse. At 43, it’s a stable country in an unstable region, powerful militarily, and as united as ever against hegemonic powers.