On January 26, 1979, the Iranian Revolution, which had been building for several months, reached its climax with the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. After years of protests, the monarchy fell, and Ayatollah Khomeini assumed power, leading to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The revolution resulted in major political and social upheaval, and the countrys future was drastically reshaped. It had far-reaching consequences, including the rupture of relations between Iran and the West.