| 19 Aug 1953 |
The CIA and British intelligence orchestrate the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran. |
| 4 Nov 1979 |
Iranian students storm the U.S. Embassy, seizing 52 hostages and occupying the embassy for 444 days. |
| 20 Jan 1981 |
The American hostages in Teheran are released immediately after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as U.S. President. |
| 3 Jul 1988 |
U.S. battleship Vincennes shoots down Iran Air flight 655 by accident, killing 290 civilian passengers and crew. |