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Iran since 1979: revolution, crises and wars with Israel and the United States
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This dossier traces the Islamic Republic of Iran from Ruhollah Khomeini’s return in February 1979: the monarchy’s overthrow, the hostage crisis, the Iran-Iraq War, Ali Khamenei’s succession, sanctions, domestic protests and nuclear negotiations. It also follows regional confrontation through Tehran’s allies, rapprochement with Saudi Arabia and the transition to direct Iran-Israel attacks in 2024.
The twelve-day war of June 2025 is distinguished from the conflict opened on 28 February 2026 by US and Israeli strikes. The chronology examines Ali Khamenei’s killing and Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession, civilian victims, regional fronts, energy infrastructure, Hormuz, blockades and attempts at agreement. The Qatari consultations that originally defined this dossier remain integrated into the expanded history.
Sourced entries distinguish established facts, announcements, attributed responsibility and unverified outcomes. The reconstruction selects principal milestones rather than recording every military operation. No final, consistent human toll across all theatres is established here. Dates without a known time are ordered by calendar day.
Tehran, 3 December 2019. Illustrative archive photograph for the dossier; it does not show the 2025 or 2026 strikes. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
Where things stand
As of 7 November 2026, Trump announces new limited strikes on Iranian air defences, with outcomes remaining attributed. Iran is reviewing Qatari proposals according to AP; Doha says mediation continues, with no established signed agreement. Washington has also sanctioned eight Canadian firms over alleged Iran links.
Qatar says mediation between Washington and Tehran continues
Qatar’s prime minister said on 7 November 2026 that mediation between the United States and Iran was continuing to prevent renewed escalation, according to remarks reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Archive, 3 December 2019; does not show the 2026 events. GTVM92, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ; unmodified. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Washington remained willing to seek a solution and expressed hope for an agreement. This is the mediator’s assessment: his remarks announce neither a signed compromise nor the actual restoration of normal access through the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington sanctions eight Canadian firms over alleged Iran links
The US Treasury announced sanctions on eight Canadian money services businesses on 6 November 2026, accusing them of facilitating transactions with already sanctioned Iranian entities.
Archive, 3 December 2019; does not show the 2026 events. GTVM92, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ; unmodified. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
Treasury says some transactions use digital assets. Those allegations must be distinguished from the publicly announced sanctions decision.
The measures block relevant property under US jurisdiction and generally prohibit transactions with US persons, subject to applicable authorisations and exemptions. Reuters also reports the announcement; the consulted documents do not include the businesses’ responses.
Trump announces new limited strikes on Iranian air defences
Donald Trump said on Friday evening in Florida, in remarks reported by AP on 7 November 2026, that the United States had carried out new limited strikes against an Iranian air defence system.
Archive, 3 December 2019; does not show the 2026 events. GTVM92, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ; unmodified. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
The president said the equipment was destroyed. That outcome remains attributed to his statement.
Separately, Reuters reports that Tasnim and IRNA described projectiles or explosions around Suza on Iran’s Qeshm Island. The consulted sources do not establish precisely how these accounts correspond, the targets hit or an independent damage assessment.
Two regional officials told Associated Press on 6 November 2026 that Iran was reviewing Qatari proposals concerning its nuclear programme.
Archive, 3 December 2019; does not show the 2026 events. GTVM92, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ; unmodified. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
One said Tehran retained preconditions for negotiations. The text is not public and the report establishes no concluded agreement. AP’s sources spoke anonymously.
Trump says a decision on possible further Iran operations is coming soon
Donald Trump said at the White House on 5 November 2026 that he would soon decide on further operations against Iran. He maintained the threat of additional destruction, according to Gulf News and Euronews.
Tehran, 3 December 2019. Illustrative archive photograph; does not depict an attack. GTVM92, CC BY-SA 4.0, unmodified. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
The US president said he would prefer to avoid destroying the rest of the country while leaving that possibility open. His remarks retain the military option without announcing in these statements that a new operation has actually begun.
Euronews also reported military preparations described by Fox News. That attributed media report is distinct from a public attack order. The remarks come as mediation over an Iranian nuclear proposal continues; these sources establish no concluded agreement.
Iran says two tankers and a tugboat caught fire in Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed on 5 November 2026 that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. The account carried by Reuters does not constitute independent confirmation of the fires.
Strait of Hormuz seen by Terra, December 2020. Archive; does not show the alleged incidents. NASA GSFC, public domain. — MODIS Land Rapid Response Team / NASA GSFC — Public domain. Acquired 2 December 2020; unmodified.
According to the Iranian account, one tanker struck a mine in a passage south of the strait. Another caught fire while leaving a route in the eastern section; a tugboat approaching to assist also burned.
Iranian authorities describe the routes as unauthorised, a characterisation that remains theirs. The consulted reports do not name the vessels or establish casualties or independent verification of each incident. These assertions must therefore be distinguished from materially confirmed attacks.
Iran: Reuters reports nuclear proposal sent through Qatar
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on 5 November 2026 that Tehran had sent Washington a nuclear proposal through Qatar. The account does not disclose its contents.
December 2019 archive; does not show the 2026 negotiations. GTVM92, CC BY-SA 4.0; unmodified. — GTVM92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ — 3 décembre 2019, sans modification.
The anonymous source said discussion depends on seven prior demands and Washington is reviewing the text. This does not establish an agreement or US confirmation of its contents.
That evening, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed received a call from his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, WAM reported. He stressed de-escalation and diplomacy. The readout describes discussion of regional developments without announcing a compromise or negotiating timetable.
