The Transformation of Iran: From Sunni Roots to a Twelver Shia Republic

Iran’s transformation from a Sunni-majority region into the epicenter of Twelver Shia Islam—and the subsequent overthrow of its monarch by a Shiite-led revolution in 1979—reflect two of the most pivotal developments in the history of the Islamic world. These events, separated by nearly five centuries, demonstrate the dynamic interplay of religious doctrine, political ambition, and popular sentiment in shaping national identity. This paper explores how the Safavid dynasty institutionalized Twelver Shiism in the 16th century and how Ayatollah Khomeini’s revolutionary leadership replaced a Western-backed monarchy with an Islamic theocracy in the 20th century.