25 Vintage Pre-Islamic Revolution Photos

Last Updated on May 7, 2025 by Matt Staff

This collection of pre-Islamic Revolution photos of Iran acts as a visual time capsule. It immerses you in a period of history that has undergone significant transformation since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Major cities such as Tehran were alive with cinemas, cafés, and a rapidly evolving arts scene reflecting a vivid cosmopolitan lifestyle. These vintage photos aim to provide that powerful glimpse into what kinds of sights you could end up seeing during that time.

1. Men and boys at the counter of a fabric store in Abadan, Iran, circa 1973

Two boys stand in front of a glass display case outside a small shop, while three men sit nearby. The shop has shelves with colorful fabric rolls inside. The atmosphere appears casual and relaxed. — catinmyshoe

The kids during that time were wrestling with all kinds of powerful emotions.

2. A young woman cutting her birthday cake in Tehran, Iran 1973

A woman with long hair wearing a patterned dress smiles as she leans over to cut a cake on a table. The photo is black and white, and the setting appears to be indoors. — plebsplease

Looks to be an exceptional birthday cake, at that.

3. The shades here are an iconic look.

A woman in green pants and a striped shirt holds a small child wearing sunglasses and light-colored clothes. They are standing outside in front of a plain, beige building. The photo is dated April 1971. — truly_anonymous

The throwback vibes run deep in this image taken before the Islamic Revolution got underway in Iran in 1979.

4. These friends seem nice and cheery before the Islamic Revolution got underway in 1979

Four young women stand next to a man who is crouching and smiling. They are outdoors in front of a bus, wearing vintage-style dresses, and appear to be posing for the photo on a sunny day. — anonymous

It’s always good to see when folks are able to muster up a smile.

5. Those were heavy times in 1975 in Iran.

A person with long dark hair wearing glasses, a red t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops sits on a small stool in a garden area, surrounded by green plants and flowering bushes, against a white wall. — deleted

During those difficult times the value of taking a pause is essential.

6. Iranian family before the 1979 Islamic revolution 1960s

A black-and-white photo shows a woman and man sitting next to a young girl by a reflective pond, surrounded by potted plants and flowers. The adults look at the camera while the child gazes to the side. — onepersononeidea

What a striking looking family.

7. Some cool moms hanging out in Iran back in the 1960s

Six women stand together on outdoor steps in front of a brick building, posing and smiling for the camera. They are dressed in mid-20th century clothing, including skirts, sweaters, and coats. — deleted

Yes, cool moms about covers the look here.

8. The fits are iconic here in the late 1960s

A group of people stand and walk on stone steps outside a building. In front, a young person in sunglasses and a blue jacket faces the camera. Adults and children are behind, with one woman smiling and holding a bag. — armoredamir

The blues present in this photo really make it pop.

9. A solid 1960s style at play here in Iran before the Islamic Revolution

A man with wavy brown hair, wearing a tan jacket, white shirt, and light pants, stands on grass holding a plastic bag of yellow fruit and a white suitcase. Buildings, trees, and a road are in the background. — slelham

The mustache was a great call too.

10. A toddler with her parents back in 1965 before the Islamic Revolution

Black and white portrait of a serious-looking woman wearing a headscarf, a man in a suit and tie with a mustache, and a small child in a dress, posed together against a plain background. — sempereadem95

Those are some eyes that have already seen too much.

11. An impressive physics/nuclear physicist hanging out in Iran in the late 1960s

A man in a suit sits and reads a magazine titled "PHOTODRAMA," featuring a woman’s portrait on the cover. He appears focused on the magazine, with a neutral background behind him. — penguin619

Even a physicist needs those moments to give the big brain a break.

12. Tehran University students in Iran in the late 1960s

Seven young women sit on a bench outdoors, reading books in the sunlight. They wear 1970s-style clothing and coats, with bare trees and a bright blue sky in the background. — anonymous

All these colors bring on quite a wave of vintage energy.

13. The band, “The Magicians” in Iran in the late 1960s

Two young men in suits play acoustic guitars on stage, standing side by side. A microphone is in front of them, and a cartoon-like drawing is visible on the wall behind them. The photo is black and white. — genieofthelamp510

You’ve got to wonder what their opening song was.

14. Food delivery was a serious game out in Ray, Iran in 1959

A man rides a bicycle while balancing a tall stack of trays on his head. Several people and bicycles are visible in the background, and the scene appears to be from a past era, judging by the clothing and setting. — meislove

No kidding, do not get in this guy’s way when he’s carrying out his job.

15. A family gathers in Iran in the 1970s, pre-Islamic Revolution

A group of seven adults sit on a patterned carpet and bench in front of a wood-paneled wall, dressed in colorful 1970s attire, with some smiling and posing for the camera.

Gathering with family during those difficult times that led up to the Islamic Revolution was vital.

16. Iranian pop star Googoosh, 1970s

A woman with long dark hair poses indoors, wearing a colorful floral crop top, matching jacket, and pants. She stands with one hand behind her head and gazes to the side. — vexed_fuming

She knew how to strike that iconic pose.

17. A couple of especially cool-looking parents hanging out before the Islamic Revolution

A black-and-white photo of a man with curly hair and a beard sitting next to a woman wearing glasses. Both are smiling softly. They are at a table with drinks, and other people are visible in the background.

Love the styles going on here too.

18. Iran, young girl weaving a rug, 1967

A young girl wearing a floral dress and white headscarf weaves a carpet by hand, sitting beside a loom with colorful threads, focused on her work. Another person’s hands are visible working in the background. — deleted

Seriously though, she’s crushing it.

19. Schoolchildren in Ahvaz. Iran, 1960s

A classroom filled with students sitting at wooden desks, most wearing maroon uniforms with white lace collars. The children are focused on their work, while one girl in the center looks directly at the camera. — drhuggables

Time to focus in on class.

20. Women Parliamentarians of Iran in front of the gate of the Iranian Parliament (Baharestan), mid 1970s

Eight women stand in a row in front of an ornate, wrought-iron gate and stone pillars. They wear colorful dresses or suits with handbags and pose for a group photo on a sunny day. — domenicocavasso

Everyone’s got their best fits on.

21. Beatle Paul McCartney visits Iran, 1968

Four men pose for a black-and-white photo; three sit in front wearing jackets or patterned shirts, while one stands behind them, all looking towards the camera with neutral or slight expressions. — naravlana

Paul McCartney has always been known to travel around the world.

22. A nurse from the Health Corps instructs village women on methods and forms of birth control. Iran, 1960s

A group of women in patterned dresses and headscarves, each holding a baby, stand in line outdoors next to a brick wall. A nurse in a uniform and cap writes on a clipboard while speaking to them. — mrhggables

Looks to be a tense moment indeed.

23. A beauty salon in Tehran, Iran, 1956

Two women sit at a vanity in a vintage-style room; one applies makeup to the other. Religious and portrait images decorate the wall above the mirror, and their reflections are visible in the glass. — rezatvus

What a lovely-looking beauty salon. Truly.

24. A young and in love couple in Tehran, circa 1950

Looking sharp there, man.

25. Tehran Railway Station, Iran, 1975

Black-and-white photo of people walking on a busy train platform. Overhead signs display destinations in Persian and English. A train is on the left, and the platform has a high, covered roof. — orhuggables

Careful now, you don’t want to miss your train.

Explore more historical content from past decades:

If you found these glimpses into Iran’s past captivating, you might also enjoy exploring other moments frozen in time. Look at 60+ Photos From the 1960s That Are Pure ‘Old School Cool’ for a broader view of the decade’s global vibe. For a touch of Hollywood glamour, 20 Colorized Photos of Hollywood From the 1960s brings the era’s stars to life in vivid color. And if you’re interested in everyday life from earlier times, 20 Photos Of Old School Barbershops (1890s–1960s) offers a unique peek into community hubs of the past.

25 Vintage Photos of Pre-Islamic Revolution Iran