The Modern History of Iran: From Post-War to Present

The modern history of Iran, from the aftermath of World War II to the present, is marked by dramatic shifts in governance, ideology, and regional influence. The country’s trajectory has been shaped by both internal dynamics and persistent foreign intervention, with consequences that continue to reverberate across the Middle East and beyond.

In the immediate postwar years, Iran became a stage for Cold War rivalry. One lesser-known episode was the 1946 crisis in Azerbaijan and Mahabad, where Soviet-backed separatist states briefly emerged in northern Iran. With American diplomatic pressure, the Soviets withdrew, and Iranian forces reasserted control, but the incident underscored Iran’s vulnerability to foreign interference. This vulnerability was exploited again in 1953, when the CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup to remove Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh after he nationalized Iran’s oil industry. The coup restored the Shah’s autocratic rule and left a legacy of deep mistrust toward the West—a sentiment that would later fuel revolutionary fervor.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed Iran from a monarchy into a theocratic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. The new regime swiftly imposed Islamic law, purged secular and leftist elements, and reoriented the country’s domestic and foreign policies. Among the most significant changes was the rollback of women’s rights. Female judges were dismissed, the legal marriage age for girls was lowered, and women’s rights in divorce and custody were severely restricted. Compulsory hijab became law, and women’s participation in public life was curtailed. Yet, Iranian women have a long tradition of activism. Just weeks after the revolution, tens of thousands protested the hijab law in Tehran. Over the decades, women have continued to resist, campaigning for legal reforms and greater freedoms. The 2022 death of Mahsa Jina Amini, detained for allegedly violating hijab rules, sparked nationwide protests and acts of civil disobedience, with many women now appearing in public unveiled despite official crackdowns. These movements have become a catalyst for broader demands for democracy and human rights.

Iran’s regional strategy has relied heavily on building a network of proxy groups. The Revolutionary Guard helped establish Hezbollah in Lebanon during the 1980s, and Iran has since supported Shia militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. In Syria, Iranian support has been crucial for the Assad regime’s survival, while in Yemen, backing the Houthi rebels has allowed Iran to challenge Saudi Arabia and threaten key shipping lanes. Iran has even extended its influence to Azerbaijan by supporting lesser-known Shia militias such as Huseyniyyun. These proxy wars have enabled Iran to project power, but they have also contributed to regional instability and drawn international scrutiny.

The nuclear program is another focal point of Iran’s modern history. Initiated with American support under the Shah, the program became a source of international tension after the revolution, especially following revelations of secret facilities in the early 2000s. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) offered a brief respite, limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the US withdrawal from the deal in 2018 reignited the crisis, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a central issue in its relations with the West.

Religious ideology permeates every aspect of Iranian governance. The constitution enshrines Twelver Shia Islam, and clerical leaders wield ultimate authority. While recognized minorities such as Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians have limited rights, others, notably the Baháʼí, face ongoing persecution. The regime’s religious outlook shapes not only domestic policies but also its support for Shia groups abroad.

Looking ahead, Iran faces a complex array of internal and external challenges. Persistent feminist and youth-led activism continues to pressure the regime for reform, while economic hardship and international sanctions strain society. Recent diplomatic overtures, such as the renewal of ties with Saudi Arabia, suggest possible shifts in regional dynamics, but the future remains uncertain. Whether Iran can reconcile its ideological foundations with the demands of a changing society and global environment will be a central question for years to come.

Discussion 

Early Postwar Turmoil and Foreign Interference

After World War II, Iran was a focal point in early Cold War geopolitics. In 1946, the Iran crisis of Azerbaijan and Mahabad saw Soviet-backed separatist states briefly established in the north and northwest of Iran. The United States pressured the Soviets to withdraw, marking one of the first successful uses of what would become the Truman Doctrine. The Iranian military eventually crushed these separatist movements, but the episode highlighted Iran’s vulnerability to great power politics and set a precedent for future foreign interventions.

In 1953, the CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh after he nationalized the oil industry. This restored the Shah’s rule and deepened Iranian mistrust of Western powers.

The Islamic Revolution and the Rise of the Theocracy

The Shah’s modernization and autocratic rule led to widespread discontent. The 1979 revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, overthrew the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic. Almost immediately, women’s rights were dramatically curtailed: female judges were banned, the legal marriage age for girls was lowered, and women’s rights in divorce and custody were rolled back. The regime imposed compulsory hijab and restricted women’s participation in public life.

Women’s Rights and Feminist Resistance

Iran has a deep history of feminist activism. In March 1979, just weeks after the revolution, tens of thousands of women protested the new compulsory hijab law—one of the first mass protests against the new regime. Over the decades, Iranian women have continued to resist, organizing for legal reforms and greater freedoms. Notably:

• Legal restrictions: Women are barred from becoming judges or president, cannot travel abroad without their husband’s permission, and their court testimony and inheritance are worth half that of men.

• Cultural restrictions: Women are forbidden from dancing or singing solo in public, riding bicycles, or attending sports matches.

• Recent protests: The 2022 death of Mahsa Jina Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian woman detained for allegedly violating hijab laws, sparked nationwide protests under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.” Despite harsh crackdowns, many women now appear in public unveiled, and acts of civil disobedience have spread across universities, workplaces, and businesses.

Women’s resistance has become a catalyst for broader demands for democracy and human rights in Iran, with many men and diverse groups joining their cause.

Proxy Wars and Regional Influence

Iran has built a vast network of proxy militias across the Middle East, a strategy that began in the early 1980s. For example:

• Lebanon: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard helped found Hezbollah during the Lebanese Civil War, shaping Lebanese politics for decades.

• Syria: Iran supports the Assad regime with money, fighters, and training, and has organized over twenty proxy militias in the country.

• Yemen: Iran backs the Houthi rebels in their fight against the Saudi-led coalition, threatening regional shipping routes.

• Azerbaijan: Iran has supported groups like Huseyniyyun, a lesser-known Shia militia in Azerbaijan, as part of its effort to expand influence even beyond the Arab world.

The Nuclear Program

Iran’s nuclear ambitions began under the Shah with US support but became a point of international tension after the revolution. Revelations in the early 2000s about secret nuclear facilities led to years of sanctions and negotiations. The 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) briefly eased tensions, but the US withdrawal in 2018 reignited the crisis. Iran’s nuclear program remains a central issue in its relations with the West.

Religious Ideology and Internal Dynamics

Iran’s constitution enshrines Twelver Shia Islam, with clerical leaders holding ultimate authority. Religious minorities, such as Baháʼís, face persecution, while recognized minorities (Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians) have limited rights. The regime’s ideology drives both domestic policy and its support for Shia groups abroad.

Possible Futures

Iran faces internal and external challenges:

• Women’s rights and youth activism: Persistent feminist and youth-led movements challenge the regime’s legitimacy and could drive gradual or sudden change.

• Geopolitical shifts: Renewed dialogue with Saudi Arabia and ongoing nuclear negotiations may alter Iran’s regional role.

• Economic pressures: Sanctions and mismanagement continue to strain society, fueling calls for reform.

Discussion Points

• How have less-known events like the 1946 Azerbaijan and Mahabad crises shaped Iran’s view of foreign powers?

• What is the significance of women’s rights activism in Iran’s broader struggle for democracy?

• How do Iran’s proxy networks affect stability in the Middle East?

• What are the prospects for change in Iran, given its internal pressures and external challenges?

  
  

  By Barry Ashworth

  www.bazmarc.com