Ayatollah Khomeini

Definition

Ayatollah Khomeini was an influential Iranian religious leader and politician who led the Iranian Revolution in 1979, overthrowing the Shah of Iran and establishing an Islamic republic. His leadership marked a significant shift in Iran's political landscape, intertwining religion with state governance and impacting U.S. foreign policy through events like the Iran Hostage Crisis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Khomeini was originally exiled by the Shah in 1964 due to his opposition to the monarchy, living in Iraq and France before returning to Iran in 1979.
2. He promoted a form of governance known as 'Velayat-e Faqih,' where a senior cleric would hold significant power over both religious and political matters.
3. Khomeini's regime was marked by strict enforcement of Islamic law, leading to significant changes in Iranian society, including restrictions on women's rights.
4. The U.S. initially supported the Shah's regime but had to adjust its foreign policy significantly following Khomeini's rise to power and subsequent hostage crisis.
5. Khomeini became a symbol of anti-Western sentiment in the Middle East, influencing Islamic movements worldwide with his ideas about governance and resistance against foreign influence.

Review Questions

• How did Ayatollah Khomeini's beliefs and political actions lead to the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran?
  • Ayatollah Khomeini's beliefs centered around the integration of Islam into government, advocating for a system where clerics held political power. His leadership during the Iranian Revolution galvanized public support against the Shah's authoritarian rule. Upon overthrowing the monarchy, Khomeini established the Islamic Republic, implementing 'Velayat-e Faqih,' which combined Islamic principles with state governance, fundamentally changing Iran’s political structure.
• Discuss how Khomeini's policies affected U.S.-Iran relations during and after the Iranian Revolution.
  • Khomeini's policies drastically altered U.S.-Iran relations, which were previously friendly under the Shah. The U.S. support for the former monarchy made Khomeini a focal point for anti-American sentiment. The culmination of this hostility was the Iran Hostage Crisis, where American diplomats were held captive for over a year, leading to a complete breakdown of diplomatic relations and long-lasting tensions between Iran and the United States.
• Evaluate Khomeini's impact on Middle Eastern politics beyond Iran, particularly regarding Islamic movements worldwide.
  • Khomeini's rise to power and the establishment of an Islamic Republic had profound effects on Middle Eastern politics and beyond. His ideology inspired various Islamic movements across the region, encouraging groups to challenge secular regimes and seek governance based on Islamic law. Khomeini’s emphasis on resistance against Western influence resonated with many Muslims, contributing to a broader wave of political Islam that reshaped not just Iran but also countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Related terms

Iranian Revolution: The 1979 uprising that led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of an Islamic Republic under Khomeini's leadership.

Islamic Republic: The political system established in Iran after the 1979 revolution, combining elements of Islamic law with republican governance.

Iran Hostage Crisis:

A diplomatic crisis in which 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days by Iranian militants following the revolution.