Iran’s Turbulent Times (1979-1997)

On December 11, 1978, during the religious Day of Ashura, millions of people marched in central Tehran, chanting anti-Shah slogans. Witnessing this was a profound shock for me, a 21-year-old university student with no prior political awareness.

Two months later, the monarchy was overthrown by supporters of Ayatollah.

On Revolution Day, February 11, 1979, I was taking photographs of the people who seized control of military bases, jubilantly celebrating their triumph on the streets of Tehran.

Approximately 18 months later, the devastating war between Iraq and Iran started.

Open warfare began on September 22, 1980, when Iraqi armed forces invaded western Iran along the countries’ joint border. With zero experience in conflict photography and as a freelancer and with no experience in covering conflicts and wars, I tried to find a way to reach the battlefields, but it was difficult.

Over the course of nearly eight years, the war inflicted hundreds of thousands of casualties and left the economy in shambles.

In 1997, after documenting 18 years of the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution, I departed Iran. Despite the challenges, I persistently attempted to return and continue my work as a photographer, navigating through various limitations.

A boy in an oversized uniform confiscated from a military base salutes in front of the camera on Shah Reza, now Enghelab (revolution) street in Tehran, on February 11, 1979. This day has been named Islamic Revolution Day and has been celebrated by the Iranian authorities ever since.

Demonstrators on an army truck, rally with confiscated weapons from military bases on Shah Reza, now Enghelab (revolution) street in Tehran, on February 11, 1979. This day has been named Islamic Revolution Day and has been celebrated by the Iranian authorities ever since.

A revolutionary man holds a gun in front of Tehran University on Shah Reza, now Enghelab (revolution) street in Tehran, on February 12, 1979. Thousands of revolutionaries guard the streets of the capital after the forces loyal to the Shah lost power.

Demonstrators on an army truck, rally with confiscated weapons from military bases on Valiahd square, in Tehran, on February 11, 1979. Thousands of people occupied the streets in this day has been named Islamic Revolution Day and has been celebrated by the Iranian authorities ever since.

Kids play over the graves recently dug for the revolutionaries who have been killed in the resistance fight against forces loyal to the Shah at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran in February 1979.

A photo and a few flowers are seen over the grave of a fighter who was recently killed in the resistance fight against forces loyal to the Shah at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran in February 1979.

A chid soldier looks on during the Operation Fath ol-Mobin, started March 22, 1982 in Khuzestan province, South-West Iran.

Young Iranian wounded soldiers are seen during the Operation Fath ol-Mobin, started March 22, 1982 in Khuzestan province, South-West Iran.

An Iranian volunteer, participating in combat training against Iraqi forces, takes part in exercises in the south of Ahwaz city, south of Iran in 1981.

An Iranian soldier examine a trench as he walks over an Iraqi soldier dead body during the Operation Fath ol-Mobin, started March 22, 1982 in Khuzestan province, South-West Iran.

A general view of palm trees chopped down on a farm damaged by fires from Iraqi forces during the war is seen in Khorram Shahr, south of Iran, 1986.

A general view of sunken ships in Arvand Rud, damaged by fires from Iraqi forces during the war, is seen in Khorram Shahr, south of Iran, 1986.

A man looks at the general view of the exploded oil tanks of the Abadan Refinery's Tank Farm, damaged by fires from Iraqi forces during the war, south of Iran, 1988.

A bird makes a nest inside a hole created by long-range artillery fires from Iraqi forces in the town of Dezful, south of Iran, 1982.

A general view of burnt cars, planted up side down by Iraqi forces after they seized the imported cars at the Khorram Shahr customs, damaged by Iraqi forces fires during the war, is seen in Khorram Shahr, south of Iran, 1986.

Iran - Iraq war victim, 1990, Mojdeh Pour Hosseini, lost one of her legs and a hand, after an Iraqi missile hit their house in the town of Dezful, south of Iran.
She was only nine years old on that dark day, when her life was changed forever.

Iran - Iraq war victim, 1990, Mojdeh Pour Hosseini, puts on her artificial hand at her home in Dezful.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996

Years after the Iran-Iraq war had ended, the nightmare persisted for families anxiously awaiting any sign from their loved ones missing on the battlefields. In 1995, the remains of soldier corpses were discovered after a long time and brought back to Tehran.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996

Years after the Iran-Iraq war had ended, the nightmare persisted for families anxiously awaiting any sign from their loved ones missing on the battlefields. In 1995, the remains of soldier corpses, discovered after a long time, were brought back to Tehran and transferred to coffins for an official funeral ceremony.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996
Coffins of Iranian and Iraqi soldiers are being carried during a body exchange ceremony at the Khosrawi border between Iran and Iraq on August 13, 1996, six years after the war between the two countries had ended.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996
Iranian soldiers cover the coffins of Iraqi soldiers as they are being carried during a body exchange ceremony at the Khosrawi border between Iran and Iraq on August 13, 1996, six years after the war between the two countries had ended.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996

Years after the Iran-Iraq war had ended, the nightmare persisted for families anxiously awaiting any sign from their loved ones missing on the battlefields. In 1995, a mother carries a photo of her son as she searches among the coffins of soldier corpses recently found in war zones and brought back to Tehran for an official funeral ceremony.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996
An Iranian military personnel carries a branch of a flower next to an Iraqi army officer, while the coffins of Iranian soldiers are carried on the shoulders of Iraqi military personnel during a body exchange ceremony at the Khosrawi border between Iran and Iraq on August 13, 1996, six years after the war between the two countries ended.

The Fighters Return Home – 1996

Years after the Iran-Iraq war had ended, the nightmare persisted for families anxiously awaiting any sign from their loved ones missing on the battlefields. In 1995, people carried the coffins of soldier corpses recently found in war zones and brought back to Tehran during an official funeral ceremony.