Ayatollah Khomeini's Rise to Power

The Truth About Ayatollah Khomeini: How a Man in a Robe Brought Down the Shah On January 16, 1979, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, fled Tehran, marking the end of his regime. This event was preceded by months of protests, which culminated in the return of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to Iran on February 1, 1979. In the city of Qom, Khomeini began to consolidate his power and pave the way for the establishment of the Islamic Republic.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Ayatollah Khomeini was a simple, devout cleric who rose to power on a wave of popular discontent with the Shah's regime. The standard story goes that Khomeini, who had been exiled to France, returned to Iran and, through his charisma and religious authority, rallied the masses against the monarchy. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex events and circumstances that led to the Iranian Revolution.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Ervand Abrahamian and Abbas Milani have extensively documented Khomeini's role in the Iranian Revolution, revealing a more nuanced and complex figure. On October 3, 1964, Khomeini delivered a speech denouncing the Shah's regime, which led to his arrest and subsequent exile. During his time in exile, Khomeini continued to speak out against the Shah, and by 1978, his message had gained significant traction in Iran. Khomeini's ability to unite disparate opposition groups, including liberals, leftists, and Islamists, under a single anti-monarchist banner was a crucial factor in the Shah's downfall. As historian Nikki Keddie notes in her book "Modern Iran", Khomeini's leadership and strategic thinking played a significant role in the revolution's success. On December 10, 1978, a massive protest took place in Tehran, with demonstrators demanding the Shah's ouster and Khomeini's return. The Carter administration, which had previously supported the Shah, began to waver in its commitment, and on January 16, 1979, the Shah fled the country, paving the way for Khomeini's return and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. According to Khomeini's own account, as recorded in his book "Islamic Government", he had been planning his return to Iran for months, and his strategy was to create a broad-based coalition that would bring down the monarchy and establish an Islamic government in its place. By January 1979, Khomeini's plan was well underway, and the Shah's regime was on the brink of collapse.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and journalists have consistently failed to adequately report the story of Ayatollah Khomeini's rise to power, and instead, Western media outlets have focused on the more sensational aspects of the Iranian Revolution. The CIA, in particular, has worked to suppress details about the agency's involvement in the Shah's regime, making it difficult for researchers to access relevant documents. Specifically, the CIA's decision to classify large portions of its files on Iran has hindered a full understanding of the events that led to the Shah's downfall. Additionally, the Iranian government has tightly controlled the narrative surrounding Khomeini's life and legacy, limiting access to primary sources and restricting the publication of dissenting viewpoints. As a result, many important facts about Khomeini's role in the revolution have been overlooked or distorted, and the story of his ascent to power remains poorly understood.

The Ripple Effect

The Iranian Revolution had a direct impact on the global oil market, leading to a significant increase in prices and prompting a shift towards alternative energy sources. The revolution also led to a reevaluation of US foreign policy in the region, with many policymakers questioning the wisdom of supporting authoritarian regimes. One specific modern consequence of the Iranian Revolution is the development of the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear program, which has been a major point of contention in international relations. The program's origins can be traced back to the early days of the revolution, when Khomeini's government began seeking ways to reduce the country's dependence on foreign powers.

The Line That Says It All

Ayatollah Khomeini's death in 1989 marked the end of an era, but the power structure he created has continued to shape Iranian politics to this day.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Iranian Revolution and Ayatollah Khomeini's life and legacy.