Between January 1978 and February 11, 1979, the Muslim revolutionary people of Iran, under the wise leadership of Ayatollah Ruhullah Khomeini, the Founder of the Islamic Revolution, voiced their opposition against the secular and US-backed rule of Mohamad Reza Shah.
The regime of Mohammad Reza Shah had caused much suffering and economic gap and inequality in Iranian society and its Secret Police (SAVAK) had tortured Iranian youth brutally, therefore, widespread dissatisfaction among the lower classes, Shia clergy, bazaar merchants, and students led in 1978 to the growth of support for Imam Khomeini who was living in exile in Paris.
The dictator of Iran and his family fled Iran on January 16, 1979, and Imam Khomeini returned home after a 15-year- exile, and the nationwide demonstrations ended up with the Victory of the Islamic Revolution on February 11, 1979.
The impressive notions and ideologies of the Islamic Revolution became a role model for all independent Muslim countries and freedom-seeking nations.
Today, after 45 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran, under the leadership of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is at the forefront of the fight against global arrogance and oppressive powers like the United States and the Zionist Regime.
The following is the text of the interview of Turkish researcher and expert, Dr. Deniz Caner with Mehr News agency regarding the effect of the Islamic Revolution on international equations.
What was the role of Imam Khomeini in the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran?
On the path that led to the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Imam Khomeini, with the increasing importance of the Ulama class in Iran, managed to gather the majority of the people around him by following a very skillful policy.
Imam Khomeini's unique indomitable character enabled him not to step back in the process of the revolution.
First of all, Imam Khomeini had a tough nature and did not compromise on his principles.
While he was returning home from Paris, he had prepared the road map, or in a sense, the constitution that would guide the country, with him on the plane.
Frankly, Khomeini had fully realized in his mind what kind of country he envisioned after the Shah.
Imam Khomeini's determination and acumen in particular enabled him to stand out among the religious scholars and become the revolutionary leader of the country.
What were the impacts of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on world equations especially on challenging the then theory of dependence on the West or East?
In the 1970s and before, there was a sharp Western hegemony in Islamic countries in general and there was no state system in any Islamic country.
At such a time, a revolution led by the Ulama, and a religious Islamic revolution, took place in Iran.
The Islamic Revolution provided the country with a geostrategic move. As a matter of fact, after the Islamic revolution, with the claim of being the protector of oppressed peoples Iran increased its influence in the region.
This enabled the Islamic Republic of Iran to increase its influence in the Middle East in a short time.
What were the impacts of the Islamic Revolution on Islamic World developments, especially on the Palestine issue and the resistance of Palestinian people against Zionist occupiers?
The Palestinian issue has been completely internalized in Iran after 1979. From street names to military units, al-Quds and Palestine-themed concepts are present in the country.
Therefore, Palestine has become a symbol that nourishes the revolution. Particularly harsh criticism against Israel started with Khomeini.
The blockage of all international peace processes and the partial indifference of Arab countries to this situation necessitated the advancement of the Palestinian cause through armed struggle.
In this context, Iran provided material and logistical support to these resistance and freedom movements. These resistance and freedom combatants have stood against Israel, which has the entire West behind it, and they are still resisting.
Can the Islamic Revolution become a role model for the world of Islam?
I don't think Islamic countries have the potential to carry out any revolution. Moreover, in 2024, Israel committed the largest massacre in human history in Gaza before the eyes of the world.
Inteviw by Marzieh Rahmani