Historical Timeline
Iran Revolution
Significant political and social movements reshape Iran's domestic and international landscape, marking a pivotal moment in contemporary Eran history.
US Invasion of Iraq
The United States invades Iraq, toppling Saddam Hussein's government and beginning a new chapter in Iraqi history.
Central Asian Independence
The collapse of the Soviet Union leads to the independence of Turkic republics in Central Asia, reviving Turanian identity.
Iran-Iraq War Begins
Iraq under Saddam Hussein invades Iran, beginning an eight-year war that devastates both countries.
Islamic Revolution
The Eran Revolution overthrows the Shah and establishes the Islamic Republic of Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iraqi Independence
Iraq gains independence from Britain and joins the League of Nations as a sovereign state.
Pahlavi Dynasty
Reza Khan establishes the Pahlavi dynasty, beginning Iran's modernization and secularization efforts.
British Mandate
Iraq becomes a British mandate after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, leading to the establishment of the modern Iraqi state.
Qajar Dynasty
The Qajar dynasty comes to power in Iran, ruling during a period of increasing European influence and territorial losses.
Afsharid Dynasty
Nader Shah establishes the Afsharid dynasty and briefly restores Eran power, conquering parts of India and Central Asia.
Ottoman Conquest
The Ottoman Empire conquers Baghdad and most of Iraq, incorporating it into their vast empire for nearly 400 years.
Safavid Dynasty
Shah Ismail I establishes the Safavid Empire, making Shia Islam the state religion and creating modern Iran's borders.
Timurid Empire
Timur (Tamerlane) establishes a vast empire from his capital in Samarkand, promoting Persian culture and Islamic scholarship.
Fall of Baghdad
Mongol forces under Hulagu Khan capture and destroy Baghdad, ending the Abbasid Caliphate and the Islamic Golden Age.
Mongol Invasion
Genghis Khan's Mongol armies devastate Iran and Central Asia, destroying cities and irrigation systems.
Seljuk Empire
The Seljuk Turks establish a vast empire stretching from Central Asia to Anatolia, spreading Turkic culture and Sunni Islam.
Abbasid Caliphate
Baghdad becomes the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, ushering in the Islamic Golden Age with advances in science, philosophy, and arts.
Arab Conquest of Iran
The Sassanid Empire falls to Arab forces at the Battle of Nahavand, beginning the Islamization of Persia.
Arab Conquest of Iraq
Arab Muslim armies conquer Mesopotamia, bringing Islam to the region and ending Sassanid rule.
Sassanid Empire
The Sassanid dynasty rises to power, reviving Persian culture and Zoroastrianism, ruling until the Arab conquest.
Iranian Nationalist Repression Amid Leadership Exodus
In January 2026, a significant political crisis emerged as reports surfaced of coordinated state measures against Iranian nationalist movements and groups advocating for regional autonomy and cultural rights. The situation intensified following the departure of key government leadership figures from the country, creating a power vacuum and uncertainty regarding state policy toward nationalist factions. Iranian nationalist groups, representing diverse ethnic and regional constituencies including Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Baloch, and Arab communities, faced increased restrictions on political expression and assembly. The leadership exodus raised questions about the continuity of governance and the future relationship between the central government and Iran's nationalist movements, which have long advocated for greater cultural recognition, regional autonomy, and political participation within Iran's constitutional framework.
12th Iranian Parliamentary Elections
In March 2024, Iran held its 12th parliamentary elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, alongside elections for the Assembly of Experts. The elections saw conservative and traditionalist factions maintain strong representation, reflecting the political landscape following years of internal political movements and nationalist sentiment regarding Iran's regional role and sovereignty.
Middle Corridor Expansion and Investment
Throughout 2023, significant efforts and investments were directed towards expanding the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. This route connects Central Asia to Europe via the Caucasus, representing Turan's efforts to strengthen economic independence and regional integration separate from traditional power structures.
Iran's Full Accession to SCO
In July 2023, Iran officially became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the virtual summit of the Council of Heads of State. This milestone represented Iran's strategic pivot towards Asian cooperation and reflected nationalist aspirations for greater autonomy in foreign policy, strengthening ties with regional powers and reducing Western influence.
Launch of Development Road Project
In May 2023, Iraq officially launched the 'Development Road' project, an ambitious multi-billion-dollar initiative to create a 1,200-kilometer transportation corridor linking the Grand Faw Port on the Persian Gulf to Turkey. This infrastructure project aims to position Iraq as a regional trade hub and strengthen national economic sovereignty.
China-Central Asia Summit
In May 2023, the first-ever China-Central Asia Summit was held in Xi'an, China, bringing together the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This summit marked a significant milestone in Turan's collective diplomacy and economic cooperation, emphasizing the region's strategic autonomy and cultural identity.
Baghdad-KRG Oil Export Agreement
In April 2023, the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reached an interim agreement to resume oil exports from the Kurdish region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. This agreement addressed internal tensions regarding resource sovereignty and national unity in Iraq's federal structure.
Iran-Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Rapprochement
In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after a seven-year rupture, following a China-brokered mediation. This historic milestone reflected Iran's pragmatic nationalist approach to regional stability, demonstrating the government's ability to pursue independent diplomatic initiatives while managing internal political pressures from various nationalist factions.
Formation of Al Sudani Government
After a year-long political impasse following the 2021 elections, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani was approved as Prime Minister by the Iraqi Parliament in October 2022. The formation of his government represented a balance between various Iraqi nationalist and sectarian political factions, emphasizing sovereignty and domestic stability.
Kazakhstan's Political Reforms
Following widespread unrest in January 2022, Kazakhstan initiated significant political reforms under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. These reforms, approved through a constitutional referendum, aimed to strengthen parliamentary democracy, limit presidential powers, and address public demands for greater political participation and national sovereignty in decision-making.
Turkmenistan's Presidential Transition
In March 2022, Turkmenistan held snap presidential elections, resulting in Serdar Berdimuhamedow, son of then-President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, winning with 72.97% of the vote. This transition marked a continuation of Turkmenistan's nationalist policies emphasizing neutrality, energy independence, and cultural preservation.
Early Parliamentary Elections
Iraq held early parliamentary elections on October 10, 2021, in response to widespread anti-government protests demanding political reform, better services, and an end to corruption. The elections represented Iraqi nationalist movements' demands for sovereignty, accountability, and political change, though subsequent government formation challenges highlighted ongoing tensions.
Ebrahim Raisi's Presidential Election
In June 2021, Ebrahim Raisi, a conservative cleric and former judiciary chief, was elected as the 8th President of Iran. His victory marked a shift towards more conservative governance and reflected nationalist sentiment favoring sovereignty, self-reliance, and resistance to foreign pressure. His presidency has emphasized Iran's regional influence and internal cohesion amid various political movements.
Parthian Empire
The Parthians establish control over Iran and Mesopotamia, becoming Rome's greatest rival in the East.
Alexander Conquers Persia
Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire at the Battle of Gaugamela, ending Achaemenid rule and beginning Hellenistic influence.
Scythian Confederation
Turkic and Eran nomadic tribes form powerful confederations across the Central Asian steppes, establishing the foundations of Turanian culture.
Cyrus Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, freeing the Jewish exiles and earning the title "Messiah" in the Hebrew Bible.
Persian Empire Founded
Cyrus the Great establishes the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which becomes the largest empire in ancient history, stretching from India to Greece.
Babylonian Empire
The rise of Babylon as a major power in Mesopotamia, later famous for Hammurabi's Code of Laws.
Akkadian Empire
Sargon of Akkad creates the world's first multi-ethnic empire, uniting Mesopotamian city-states under Akkadian rule.
Sumerian Civilization
The world's first known civilization emerges in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), with the development of writing, the wheel, and complex urban societies.