When did Khomeini come to power? This question delves into the pivotal moment in Iranian history when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution, took control of the country. The answer to this question marks the end of the Pahlavi dynasty and the beginning of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran, which led to Khomeini’s rise to power, began in 1978 and lasted until 1979. The revolution was a response to the oppressive regime of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was overthrown by a popular uprising. The Shah’s autocratic rule, along with his close ties to the United States and Western powers, had alienated many Iranians who sought a more Islamic state.
Khomeini, who had been living in exile in France since 1964, returned to Iran in February 1979. His return was met with a wave of enthusiasm and support from the Iranian people. As the revolution gained momentum, Khomeini’s influence grew, and he became the de facto leader of the opposition.
On January 16, 1979, the Shah fled Iran, leaving the country without a head of state. This event further solidified Khomeini’s position as the leader of the revolution. On February 1, 1979, the Iranian parliament, the Majlis, declared Khomeini as the Supreme Leader of Iran. However, it was not until April 1, 1979, that Khomeini officially took power, marking the end of the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Khomeini’s rise to power was a transformative event in Iranian history. His leadership brought about significant changes in the country’s political, social, and cultural landscape. The Islamic Republic of Iran, under Khomeini’s guidance, adopted a theocratic system where the Supreme Leader, an Islamic scholar, holds ultimate authority. This system has had a lasting impact on Iran’s domestic and foreign policies.
Khomeini’s reign was marked by the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, and the establishment of an Islamic state that emphasized the values of Sharia law. His legacy continues to shape Iran’s identity and its relations with the international community. The question of when Khomeini came to power, therefore, not only refers to a specific date but also to a defining moment in the history of Iran.
