TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Here are key events that have marked Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution that overthrew the monarchy. Islamic republic proclaimed On January 16, 1979 the US-backed shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, leaves for exile after months of protests against him. On February 1 revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini makes a triumphant return from exile. Ten days later the shah’s government falls, public radio announces “the end of 2,500 years of despotism”. An […]