Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on February 11 under the shadow of extraordinary internal unrest and intensifying external threats, as fears grow that the United States and Israel could once again launch military strikes on the country.
Last year, Israel and the United States carried out coordinated airstrikes inside Iran, targeting key nuclear facilities, air bases, air defense systems, and senior military leaders and nuclear scientists. The strikes represented one of the most direct confrontations between Tehran and its long-standing adversaries in decades, escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East.
This year began with widespread anti-government protests across major Iranian cities, followed by a fierce crackdown by security forces. Human rights groups and opposition activists say thousands of protesters were shot during the unrest, though Iranian authorities have denied the scale of the casualties. The unrest has further strained the Islamic Republic at a time when its leadership faces economic hardship, diplomatic isolation, and heightened military pressure.
Against this backdrop, the regime sought to project unity and resilience during the anniversary celebrations. Crowds flooded Tehran and other major cities, waving Iranian and Palestinian flags while carrying portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Chants of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” echoed through the streets, reflecting the revolutionary rhetoric that has defined the state for nearly half a century.
State media portrayed the massive gatherings as evidence that the Islamic Republic continues to enjoy popular support 47 years after the revolution that reshaped not only Iran’s political landscape but also altered the trajectory of the wider Middle East.
The Islamic Revolution of 1979 marked the collapse of the Pahlavi monarchy and the end of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s rule. On February 11, 1979, the Iranian armed forces declared neutrality amid escalating clashes between revolutionary forces and the Shah’s loyalists. Soon after, guerrillas and rebel troops overran remaining royalist positions, effectively sealing the monarchy’s fate.
Ayatollah Khomeini, who had returned from exile on February 1, quickly consolidated power and laid the foundations for a theocratic state governed under the principle of “Velayat-e Faqih,” or guardianship of the Islamic jurist. Iran transformed from a pro-Western monarchy into a conservative Islamic republic with a deeply anti-Western ideological orientation.
The revolution reverberated far beyond Iran’s borders. It inspired Islamist movements across the Muslim world and reshaped regional geopolitics from Afghanistan to Lebanon. Over time, Iran would support proxy groups and allied governments from Syria to Yemen, projecting influence across the Middle East in ways that continue to shape regional conflicts.
One of the earliest and most defining moments of the new regime came just months after the revolution: the seizure of the United States Embassy in Tehran.
On November 4, 1979, militant Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy compound, breaching security and taking 66 American diplomats and staff hostage. The students demanded the extradition of the deposed Shah, who had entered the United States for medical treatment.
The hostage crisis would become one of the most dramatic episodes in U.S.-Iran relations, lasting 444 days and deeply affecting American politics and public opinion.
Amid the chaos of the embassy takeover, six American diplomats managed to evade capture. They were Robert Anders, Mark Lijek and Cora Amburn-Lijek, Joseph Stafford and Kathleen Stafford, and Lee Schatz. After fleeing the embassy compound, they sought refuge in various safe locations before turning to the Canadian Embassy for help.
American diplomat Robert Anders contacted Canadian diplomat John Sheardown, who responded without hesitation. “We’ve been worried about you. What took you so long? Of course, you can come over,” Sheardown reportedly told him.
Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor and his staff made the extraordinary decision to shelter the six Americans, despite the immense risks. Joe and Kathleen Stafford stayed at Taylor’s residence, while the other four were housed by the Sheardowns. For nearly three months, the Canadians concealed the Americans, aware that discovery could have led to severe consequences.
The Canadian government, led at the time by Prime Minister Joe Clark and Secretary of State for External Affairs Flora MacDonald, fully backed the risky humanitarian effort. Ottawa authorized extraordinary measures to facilitate the Americans’ escape.
By January 1980, Canadian officials, working with the CIA, began planning a covert extraction operation dubbed the “Canadian Caper.” Canada passed a special Order in Council authorizing the issuance of Canadian passports to the six Americans. Forged Iranian visas and other travel documents were prepared to support their departure.
CIA officer Tony Mendez devised an elaborate cover story: the six would pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations in Iran for a fictitious Hollywood science fiction movie titled Argo. The premise provided a plausible explanation for a group of Westerners operating in revolutionary Iran.
Meanwhile, preparations were underway to close the Canadian Embassy in Tehran. Staff members departed in stages, classified documents were shredded, and unclassified materials were transferred to the New Zealand Embassy, which agreed to represent Canadian interests.
On January 25, 1980, Mendez and another CIA officer entered Tehran, posing as members of the fake film production team. Three days later, on January 28, the six Americans, accompanied by the CIA officers, passed through security at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and boarded a Swissair flight to Europe. They safely reached the United States shortly afterward.
The same day, Canada closed its embassy and evacuated its remaining personnel from Tehran. However, 52 American hostages remained captive until January 20, 1981, when they were finally released.
The daring escape became public on January 29, 1980, sparking an outpouring of gratitude in the United States. Ambassador Ken Taylor became a celebrated figure, later receiving the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. Canada honored him as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2012, the operation was dramatized in the Hollywood film Argo. While the movie won critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Picture, some critics argued that it overstated the CIA’s role and downplayed the central contribution of Canadian diplomats.
Today, as the United States and Canada navigate a bitter trade dispute, some observers have recalled the events of 1980 as a reminder of the deep and enduring ties between the two countries—ties forged not only in commerce but also in moments of shared risk and solidarity.
For Iran, the anniversary of the revolution serves both as a celebration and a test. The Islamic Republic faces economic challenges fueled by sanctions, inflation, and unemployment. Internationally, it confronts ongoing tensions over its nuclear program and regional activities. Domestically, waves of protest signal growing dissatisfaction among segments of the population.
The possibility of renewed U.S. or Israeli strikes looms large, with analysts warning that further escalation could destabilize the region. Iranian officials have vowed to respond decisively to any new attacks, while Western leaders continue to debate diplomatic and military options.
Forty-seven years after the revolution that transformed Iran into a theocratic state, the country stands at a crossroads. Its leadership seeks to project strength and unity, even as internal divisions and external pressures intensify. Whether the Islamic Republic can navigate these converging crises—and how long it can sustain its current political order—remains one of the central questions shaping the future of the Middle East.
