The reason for this question is:
My girlfriend's father is Iranian, although his family is from Azerbaijan, from what I understand. He fled Iran during the revolution, finding sanctuary in the Philippines (where he met my GF's mother, who is Japanese. Both of her parents now live in Japan, and she is Japanese. My girlfriend is 1/2 Japanese and 1/2 Azerbaijani/Iranian.
I'm asking for information because I'm going to be meeting her father at our college graduation next month, and I want to be able to understand his background and have meaningful conversations with him about America, Iran, Azerbaijan, the whole nine yards.
I should also probably mention that she has told me that her father does not like Americans (until she met me, at least), and that her Middle-Eastern family sounds very fragmented and different as a result of the revolution. For example, apparently her uncle (father's brother), was abducted by Iranian forces and is now a "propagandist" for the Iranian government.
What do I need to know about this situation to be able to have a real conversation with her father about all of these issues that pre-date our births, let alone relationship?
Iranian society is complicated and unless you can get more information about what sides he was during the revolution then I would avoid talking current politics.
That said you asked about the revolution so I'll give you the quick end of it. The Last Qajar King did not really know oils usefulness and he was losing power and money so he sold the mineral rights to a British man named D'Arcy. D'arcy didnt have the money needed to get to the oil so he ends up selling to British Crown and they Create British Petroleum(BP).
Iran enters a period of civil unrest. The workers of Abadaban want better rights and better pay but the British did not want to give it to them. Then during WW2 the allies needed all the oil and even though the Iranian Shah(king) made no moves to join the axis the allies did not want to take the risk and invaded Iran. The Russians took a part of the north that became Azerbaijan. The British took control of the southern oil fields and left Iran proper to be ruled by the shah and his constitutional monarchy. The Iranians took this as a great insult and began organizing more politically and Mohamed Mossasegh becomes PM and nationalize Iranian oil because the British were unwilling to negotiate better pay for Iranians. The Brits said it cost to much and would dip into profits but Iranians countered they were full of shit and Americans pay Saudi's a way better deal for there oil. The brits don't like this and in 53 with the help of the Americans take part in operation Ajax which deposes Mossadegh and restored the old shah, Reza Shah Palvani II.
Reza Shah Palvani then rules for the next 20 years but his rules was seen in a very bad light by many Iranians. seen as nothing more than a American/British Proxy.
By 79 the unrest is too much and revolution takes place. The Shah suppressed all forms speech except for religious. So the Ayatollah Khomeini was a big head of anti-government. Early on every gathered behind him. Communist, Muslim, Jew and just about everyone who opposed the Shah. Once the Ayatollah took over a few students protesting by the by US embassy about the Shah being given treatment in the USA for his Cancer. They wanted the Shah to stand Trial.
The Shah did not and the hostage situation takes place. Then Saddam invades Iran and for 10 years the fight takes place and tears both countries apart. After coming out the revolution and war Iran was tatered and in the 90's elected a reformist named Khatmate to be president. While he tried to modernize the country and go a little more secular and open relations with the west he was mostly unsuccessful.
After 9/11 Khatmate was very sympathetic to the USA but Bush called Iran part of axis of evil and this gave pushed Iranians to a anti west approach for the next elections and Ahmadinjad beats Khatmate. After a few years of Ahmadinjad in Iran and Bush in the US, both countries realize that due to current political situation the other is a potential ally but both nations have those who still have the old hatreds. Currently Both the Americans and Iranians have elected presidents who are reformist and wish to mend relations with the nations but both have a group in the congress(majlis for iran) that are very against mending relations.
edit- I skimmed over it very quickly but hope that gives you overview and make sure you know where he stands before you say anything stupid. These are rough subjects and you should get to know him first or ask about his life if he willing to share.