How 73 years of history led to an attack and leader's assassination

Sunday, 1 March 2026 18:52

This weekend's strikes by the United States and Israel on Israel come on the back of months of tensions ratcheting up in the Middle East. But the origins go back decades.

This weekend's strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, resulting in the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, come on the back of months of tensions ratcheting up in the Middle East.

But the events leading up to the dramatic military action date back far further, US President Donald Trump ordering a increased armed presence in the region, instead reaching back almost three-quarters of a century ago.

Here's how we got here.

LIVE UPDATES: US and Israel attack Iran, Tehran retaliates with strikes throughout Middle East

1953

Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh is overthrown in a UK-instigated, US-supported coup aimed at protecting British oil interests.

His removal strengthens the power of the monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but also anti-American and anti-British sentiment in the country.

Persian Politicians; Dr. Muhammad Mossadeq -- Persia's Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, photographed whilst delivering an impassioned radio address. June 10, 1953.

1979

The shah, who is by now deeply unpopular, is overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The Islamic Republic of Iran is formally established, with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini its first supreme leader.

Under the new Islamic Republic, the rights of women are heavily restricted.

Billboard of the Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran, Iran.

1981

Ali Khamenei becomes the president of Iran. He is sworn in wearing a sling for his right arm, which was paralysed in a failed assassination attempt in 198.

1989

Khomeini dies. Khamenei replaces him, becoming Iran's second supreme leader.

Around this time, it establishes a plan to develop nuclear weapons, known as Project AMAD.

WATCH: State TV presenter cries while announcing the death of Iran's supreme leader

Iran's Majli's speaker and Imam's representative in supreme defence council Hashemi Rafsanjani (L) and Iranian Prime Minister, Hussein Musavi (R) during the session. War-Meeting. Iranian President Ali Khamenei (M) Chairs a joint session of the cabinet minister. The supreme defence council and the supreme war support council Sunday to draw up the Islamic republic's strategy in relation to the Iraqi imposed war. November 15, 1987.

1995

Iran is subjected to oil and trade sanctions by the US over state terrorism sponsorship and the desire for a nuclear weapon. Further sanctions are applied in the coming decades.

1999

Student protests break out in response to the closure of reformist newspaper Salam.

In the largest demonstrations since the days of the revolution, at least four students are killed, hundreds are wounded and more than 1000 are arrested in the crackdown by authorities.

2003

Project AMAD is shelved, although Iran's nuclear program, including civilian uses, continues.

Iran signs the Tehran Agreement, which included pledges to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment and reprocessing, and more intrusive inspections by international authorities, although its cooperation with those commitments is frequently questioned.

2009, June

Protests in major cities break out in response to the 2009 presidential elections, after incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is declared the winner over two reformist opposition candidates, who claim the result is fraudulent.

Dozens are killed and thousands arrested in the ensuing crackdown.

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In this photo released by the Iranian President's Office, then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, visits the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility near Natanz, Iran, April 8, 2008.

2009, September

Iran admits it is building a uranium enrichment plant, but insists it is for civilian purposes.

Separately, it test-fires a range of medium- and long-range missiles that could reach Israel and US military bases in the region.

2015

Iran signs the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the United States under President Barack Obama, as well as China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and Germany.

The agreement limits Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

President Donald Trump talks with former President Barack Obama on Capitol Hill in Washington in January 2017.

2018

US President Donald Trump withdraws from the nuclear deal.

2020

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, is assassinated in a US drone strike.

2022

Massive protests erupt following the death of young woman Mahsa Amini in a suspected case of police brutality for not wearing a hijab properly.

More than 550 people are killed in the crackdown, and almost 20,000 arrested.

In this Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, a police motorcycle and a trash bin are burning during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who had been detained by the nation's morality police, in downtown Tehran, Iran.

2023

Iranian proxy Hamas carries out the deadly October 7 attacks on Israel from Gaza. Nearly 1200 are killed and more than 200 hostages taken, and the Israeli retaliation leaves Hamas and fellow Iranian-backed group Hezbollah massively weakened.

2025, June 13-24

Israel carries out surprise strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, starting what becomes known as the 12-Day War. Iran responds with missile strikes against Israel, most of which are intercepted. The US carries out bombing attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Trump claims are "completely and totally obliterated".

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Fordow enrichment facility in Iran before the US strikes.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Fordow enrichment facility in Iran after the US strikes.

2025, December 28

Protests break out in Tehran over the collapsing currency, the rial.

2026, early January

The protests grow into nationwide demonstrations, the largest in Iran since the revolution. Trump tells civilians to "keep protesting" and that "help is on the way".

However, the US does not take military action in Iran.

Thousands are killed by authorities. Exact casualty figures remain unknown, but one reputable human rights agency said about 7000 are dead, while others claim the death toll is higher than 30,000.

2026, February 19

As the US and Iran hold talks over the latter's nuclear program, Trump says he'll decide on whether to take military action in the next 10 or 15 days. The US has built up a massive armed presence in the area, with two aircraft carrier groups in the region.

2026, February 28

Israel and the US launch massive, widespread airstrikes on Iran. Iran responds with strikes on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Supreme Leader Khamenei is killed in the strikes, along with the head of the Revolutionary Guard and other senior leaders.

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