History of Tehran Timeline

(c. 6000 BCE – Present)

Tehran, the capital of Iran, has a rich history spanning thousands of years. Originally a small village near the ancient city of Ray, it grew in prominence during the Safavid era and became the capital of Persia in 1786 under the Qajar dynasty. Today, Tehran is Iran's largest city and political, economic, and cultural center. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Ancient and Medieval Era

Tehran a well-known village

850

In the ninth century, Tehran was a well-known village, but less so than the flourishing city of Rhages nearby.

Image source: Tehran

Muslim geographers describe Rhages

950

In the tenth century, Muslim geographers described Rhages in detail, reflecting its importance as a major regional city before the rise of Tehran itself.

Image source: Ray, Iran

Oghuz Turks invade Rhages

1035

The Oghuz Turks invaded Rhages in 1035 and again in 1042, but the city was later recovered under the Seljuks and then the Khwarezmians.

Mongols destroy Rhages

1220

In the 13th century, the Mongols invaded Rhages, laid the city to ruins, and massacred many of its inhabitants, paving the way for Tehran's later growth in the region.

Image source: Mongol invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire

Clavijo visits Tehran

Jul 1404

Castilian ambassador Ruy González de Clavijo visited Tehran on his journey to Samarkand, capital of Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur, ruler of Iran at the time.

Image source: Ruy González de Clavijo

Pietro della Valle passes through Tehran

1618

Italian traveler Pietro della Valle passed through Tehran overnight in 1618, calling the city Taheran in his memoirs.

Image source: Pietro Della Valle

Thomas Herbert enters Tehran

1627

English traveler Thomas Herbert entered Tehran in 1627 and mentioned it as Tyroan in his writings.

Capital and Urban Development

Karim Khan builds palace in Tehran

1760

In the early 18th century, Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty ordered a palace and government office built in Tehran, possibly to make it his capital, but he later moved his government to Shiraz.

Image source: Karim Khan Zand

Agha Mohammad Khan makes Tehran Iran's capital

1786

Qajar king Agha Mohammad Khan chose Tehran as the capital of Iran in 1786—its 51st such designation—due to its proximity to contested Caucasian territories and to avoid vying factions of prior dynasties.

Image source: Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar

Naser al-Din Shah's era brings firsts to Tehran

1848 - 1896

During Naser al-Din Shah's long reign (1848–1896), Tehran witnessed Iran's first institute of higher learning, bank, railway line, and museum.

Image source: Naser al-Din Shah Qajar

First development plan for Tehran

1855

The first development plan of Tehran, drawn up in 1855, emphasized the city's traditional spatial structure.

Second development plan creates octagonal walls

1878

The second development plan, supervised by Dar al-Fonun in 1878, included new city walls forming a perfect octagon with an area of 19 square kilometers, mimicking the Renaissance cities of Europe.

Image source: Dar al-Fonun

Large-scale construction begins in Tehran

1920

Large-scale construction works began in the 1920s, and Tehran became a destination for mass migrations from all over Iran, especially throughout the 20th century.

Reza Shah suspends Baladie law

1925

After World War I, the constituent assembly elected Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty as monarch, who immediately suspended the Baladie law of 1907, replacing autonomous city councils with centralist governance and planning.

Image source: Reza Shah

Street-widening act transforms urban fabric

1933

Changes to Tehran's urban fabric began with the street-widening act of 1933, which served as a framework for changes in all other Iranian cities.

Old citadel demolished, replaced by wide streets

1937

In 1937 the old citadel and city walls were demolished and replaced by wide streets cutting through the urban fabric; by then Tehran was heavily influenced by modernist zoning and gridiron planning patterns.

Citadel building replaced with bank

1947

A notable structure from the old citadel was eventually demolished and replaced with a bank building in 1947, following reforms during the reign of Reza Shah.

Planning organization of Iran established

1948

The establishment of the planning organization of Iran in 1948 resulted in the first socioeconomic development plan covering 1949 to 1955, though it failed to slow Tehran's unbalanced growth.

White Revolution accelerates Tehran's growth

1962

With the 1962 land reforms that Mohammad Reza Shah named the White Revolution, Tehran's already chaotic growth was further accentuated.

Image source: White Revolution

First comprehensive plan approved

1968

To resolve the problem of social exclusion, the first comprehensive plan for Tehran was approved in 1968, though it was later marginalized by the 1979 Revolution and the Iran–Iraq War.

Plan announced to relocate capital functions

2010

In 2010, the government announced that 'for security and administrative reasons' the plan to move the capital from Tehran had been finalized, including relocating 163 state firms and several universities due to earthquake risk—no major quake has struck Tehran since 1830.

Census records 8.69 million residents

2016

The 2016 census recorded 8,693,706 people in 2,911,065 households, up from 8,154,051 in 2011 and 7,711,230 in 2006. A 2010 University of Tehran survey found 63% born in Tehran and 75% identifying as ethnic Persian.

Landmarks and Culture

Golestan Palace rebuilt and expanded

1865

The Golestan Palace was significantly rebuilt and expanded in 1865 by Haji Ab ol Hasan Mimar Navai, including the Brilliant Hall, the Mirror Hall, and the Edifice of the Sun.

Image source: Golestan Palace

First movie theater opens in Tehran

1904

The first movie theater in Tehran was established by Mirza Ebrahim Khan in 1904.

Image source: Cinema of Iran

Vahdat Hall inaugurated

Oct 1967

Vahdat Hall, formerly known as Roodaki Hall, was inaugurated in October 1967 and named after prominent Persian poet Rudaki, serving as Iran's national stage for opera and ballet.

Image source: Vahdat Hall

Azadi Tower completed

1971

Tehran's most famous landmark, the Azadi Tower, was built by order of the Shah in 1971 to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire.

Image source: Azadi Tower

City Theater of Tehran opened

1972

The City Theater of Tehran, one of Iran's biggest theatre complexes containing several performance halls, was opened in 1972. Famous Persian cabarets were also active until 1979.

Image source: City Theater of Tehran

Azadi Sport Complex hosts Asian Games

Sep 1974

The Azadi Sport Complex was originally built to host the 7th Asian Games in September 1974, followed by hosting the final of the 1968 AFC Asian Cup legacy events, the 6th AFC Asian Cup in June 1976, and the first West Asian Games in November 1997.

Image source: 1974 Asian Games

Milad Tower completed

2007

The 435-meter-high Milad Tower, one of the proposed development projects of pre-revolutionary Iran, was completed in 2007 and became a famous landmark—the world's sixth-tallest self-supporting tower.

Image source: Milad Tower

Green Movement graffiti appears

2009

During the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests, many graffiti works supporting the Green Movement were created across Tehran. Several graffiti festivals followed, including one by the Tehran University of Art in October 2014.

Image source: 2009 Iranian presidential election protests

Manmohan Singh visits Tehran gurdwara

2012

Tehran has a small third-generation Indian Sikh community with a local gurdwara that was visited by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012.

Image source: Holy Mary Metro Station

Tabiat Bridge completed

2014

Tabiat Bridge, a 270-meter pedestrian overpass designed by award-winning architect Leila Araghian and the largest pedestrian overpass in Tehran, was completed in 2014 and is considered a landmark.

Image source: Tabiat Bridge

FILA Wrestling World Cup hosted

2014

In 2014, Tehran hosted the FILA Wrestling World Cup event at the Azadi Indoor Stadium.

Politics and Revolution

Constitutional Revolution and first constitution

1906

Growing awareness of civil rights resulted in the Constitutional Revolution and the first constitution of Iran in 1906.

Baladie municipal law passed

Jun 2, 1907

On 2 June 1907, parliament passed the Baladie law on local governance, detailing the role of councils, members' qualifications, election processes, and voting requirements. October 6 is now celebrated as Tehran Day marking 1907.

Image source: Persian Constitutional Revolution

Mohammad Ali Shah bombards parliament

Jun 23, 1908

On 23 June 1908, Mohammad Ali Shah abolished the constitution and bombarded the parliament with the help of the Russian-controlled Cossack Brigade.

Image source: Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar

Revolutionary forces capture Tehran

Jul 13, 1909

On 13 July 1909, revolutionary forces under Ali-Qoli Khan (Sardar Asad II) and Mohammad Vali Khan (Sepahsalar e Tonekaboni) captured Tehran.

Iranian Revolution centered in Tehran

1979

Tehran was at the center of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, after which the political system changed from constitutional monarchy to Islamic republic, profoundly transforming the city's urban landscape and social dynamics.

Image source: Iranian Revolution

Tehran Day declared

Oct 6, 2016

In 2016, the Tehran City Council declared 6 October 'Tehran Day', celebrating the date in 1907 when the city officially became the capital of Iran. That year Tehran also ranked among the top ten fastest-growing tourism destinations globally.

Wars and Conflicts

Tehran Conference held

Nov 28, 1943 - Dec 1, 1943

In 1943, Tehran was the site of the Tehran Conference attended by U.S., British, and Soviet leaders, a pivotal Allied summit during World War II.

Image source: Tehran Conference

Iran–Iraq War strikes damage Tehran

1980 - 1988

During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) and as part of the War of the Cities, Tehran was repeatedly targeted by airstrikes and Scud missile attacks, causing substantial infrastructural damage.

Image source: Iran–Iraq War

Twelve-Day War: Israeli airstrikes hit Tehran

Jun 2025

In the Twelve-Day War of June 2025, Tehran was attacked by Israeli airstrikes and, in an unprecedented move, the people of Tehran committed mass evacuations.

Image source: Twelve-Day War

Israeli strikes cause black acid rain

Mar 8, 2026

On 8 March 2026, Israeli strikes on oil depots near Tehran caused the city to be engulfed in a cloud of thick black smoke, resulting in dangerous black acid rainfall amid the ongoing 2026 Iran war.

Environment and Climate

Parks and Green Spaces Organization established

1960

The Parks and Green Spaces Organization of Tehran was established in 1960 and is responsible for protecting urban nature in the city.

Heavy snow blankets Tehran

Feb 2005

In February 2005, heavy snow covered all parts of Tehran.

Snow emergency closes Tehran

Jan 5, 2008 - Jan 7, 2008

On 5 and 6 January 2008, heavy snow and low temperatures covered Tehran in thick snow and ice, forcing the Council of Ministers to declare a state of emergency and close down the capital from 6 to 7 January.

Ab-o-Atash Park founded

2009

In 2009, Ab-o-Atash Park ('Water and Fire park') was founded in Tehran, later connected by the Tabiat pedestrian bridge.

Record snowfall hits northern Tehran

Feb 3, 2014

On 3 February 2014, Tehran received heavy snowfall, especially in northern parts of the city, with a depth of 2 metres (6.6 ft).

Haboob engulfs Tehran

Jun 3, 2014

On 3 June 2014, a severe thunderstorm with powerful microbursts created a haboob engulfing Tehran in sand and dust, causing five deaths and more than 57 injuries.

Extreme heat and drought crisis

Jul 2025 - Aug 2025

In July and August 2025, Tehran experienced extreme heat and severe drought conditions, marking one of the most acute environmental crises in the city's recent history.

Transport and Infrastructure

BRT system inaugurated

2008

Tehran's bus rapid transit (BRT) system was officially inaugurated in 2008; by 2011 it had a network of 100 km transporting 1.8 million passengers daily.

Image source: Tehran Bus Rapid Transit

Trolleybus system reopens

Mar 2016

After closing around 2013, Tehran's trolleybus system reopened in March 2016 on a single 1.8-km route between Khorasan Square and Bozorgrah-e-Be'sat, having earlier operated five routes from Imam Hossein Square since its 1992 opening.

Image source: Trolleybuses in Tehran

Key Facts

Tehran was first mentioned in historical records around the 13th century CE, but archaeological evidence shows settlements in the region dating back to prehistoric times.
In 1786, Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty made Tehran the capital of Persia due to its strategic location near the Caspian Sea and proximity to rival powers like Russia.
During the Pahlavi era (1925–1979), Tehran underwent rapid modernization, with new boulevards, government buildings, and infrastructure transforming the city into a modern metropolis.
The Iranian Revolution of 1979 culminated in Tehran, where mass protests led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
Today, Tehran is one of the largest cities in Western Asia, home to over 8 million people, and serves as Iran's center for politics, economy, education, and culture.

Source

This History of Tehran timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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