A Persian expression conveys a strong message about the role of mullahs in Iranian society: if a person lifts a mullah's beard, it reveals the inscription "Made in England" underneath. This idea has echoed throughout Iranian political culture from the Safavid Dynasty.
I wish Iranians had acted more prudently in the 1970s and not naively followed Khomeini, whom some call "Made in England." If Iranians had made wiser choices back then, Iran could have become a developed nation today. Unfortunately, they did not act wisely, allowing England to deceive them again.
England employed numerous underhanded tactics against Iran and the Iranian people to seize land and transfer it to Russia during "The Great Game." Additionally, no Iranian should forget the military invasion of Iran by England and Russia during World War II, even as Iran maintained its stance as a neutral state and wished to avoid involvement in the conflict.
Until the 1970s, England pursued a foreign policy aimed at undermining Iran. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) played a significant role by providing a platform for Khomeini, which helped incite chaos and unrest in the country. The BBC was aware of Khomeini's dubious past.
Khomeini's history of criminal activity dates back to 1963 when Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi initiated the White Revolution in Iran—this series of reforms aimed to modernize the country with parliamentary approval. Khomeini opposed the White Revolution because it sought to elevate Iran towards an era reminiscent of Cyrus the Great. He preferred that Iranians remain in intellectual darkness, allowing the mullahs to dictate their lives. The mullahs, guided by their dogmatic and superstitious doctrines, focused on trivial theological debates rather than addressing the nation's real challenges.
The BBC and other foreign political actors knew Khomeini had no peaceful intentions for Iran. They would not have supported him instigating the 1979 Revolution if they had thought otherwise.
I could hear Khomeini on the BBC radio; he encouraged Iranians to set on public fire properties, attack the soldiers randomly, and attack the military bases to destroy the army. He asked people to attack women and children whose husbands were military officers and kill SAVAK agents. He called for vandalism and torching Iran. Iranians followed him because the BBC said that Khomeini appeared on the moon. Iranians came out of their homes at night and looked at the moon. They clearly stated that they saw Khomeini's image on the moon. Iranians did not ask themselves this question. Mohammad claimed to be the prophet of Allah; he never performed a miracle. How could Khomeini perform a miracle of this magnitude as his image appeared on the moon? Because the King spoke English, French and German. People said Khomeini spoke five languages.
Many people viewed Khomeini as a divine figure and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi as a tyrant. They felt encouraged to sacrifice themselves for Khomeini's elusive promise of social justice.
US President Jimmy Carter played a significant role in the upheaval in Iran. Many referred to Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi as a puppet of the US, demanding that the King abandon the Peacock Throne. When Jimmy Carter's voice was broadcast on the BBC, expressing support for the King to maintain his power in Iran, it incited outrage among the Iranian people. They erupted in chants of "Death to the King."
Later, Jimmy Carter accused the Shah of failing to uphold human rights, which further fueled Iranian anger. The frustration boiled over, and once again, Iranians flooded the streets, setting fire to anything around them.
On January 17, 1979, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi decided not to cling to power at the expense of his people's bloodshed. He left Iran with no intention of returning.
The Jimmy Carter Administration began to portray Khomeini as a divine figure positioned at God's right hand. On February 8, 1979, Andrew Young, the chief United States delegate to the United Nations, praised Islam as "a vibrant cultural force in today's world." He stated that Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Iranian Islamic leader, would ultimately be recognized as "a saint."
Mr. Young expressed views that go significantly further than those of the Carter Administration, stating that it would be "impossible to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state" in Iran because "too much Western idealism has infiltrated that movement."
During an hour-long meeting with the New York Forum, a group of reporters at the City University Graduate Center, he emphasized that "Islam is a vibrant cultural force in today's world, not something that died with the Middle Ages." He noted that Islam has been "revitalized by young people with Western educations" and added, "I do not think the Ayatollah realizes the power he is in control of."1
England and the United States adorned Khomeini's image with a veneer of divine approval, causing Iranians to overlook the dangers beneath his facade. On February 1, 1979, when Khomeini returned to Iran after fifteen years of exile, an American reporter asked him, "How do you feel about returning to Iran?" Khomeini replied, "Nothing."
He did not immediately remove his turban. Instead, he went to the Refah School and kept himself out of public view. He summoned Generals Mehdi Rahimi, Nasiri, Naji, and Khosrowdad there. Khomeini removed his turban and revealed the metaphorical "snakes" on his head to these military leaders. In a ruthless display of power, he compromised their lives to secure his position as a statesman of Persia, showing a complete lack of remorse.
Iranians were busy cheering for their newfound leader, Khomeini, who was primarily focused on silencing dissent among his people. Many Iranians believed that by remaining silent, their troubles would eventually fade away.
On January 7, 1980, Western nations portrayed Khomeini as a beloved, almost divine figure. TIME magazine even featured his picture, naming him "Man of the Year." Meanwhile, the US propaganda machine supported Khomeini despite his ruthlessness.
Khomeini embraced his role as the statesman of Persia, walking around shamelessly despite the metaphorical "snakes" he carried with him—his oppressive actions. He ordered the execution of countless Iranians in prison simply because they did not share his views. Those who chose not to oppose him were sent to fight in the Iran-Iraq War, where many lost their lives. Khomeini initiated the war to export his revolution to the world, encouraging Iraqi Shia Muslims to rise against Saddam Hussein. However, his plans backfired as Saddam Hussein renounced the 1975 Algeria Accord and launched a massive military attack on Iran. Khomeini repeatedly urged Iranians to go to war and sacrifice their lives for Islam.
Eventually, Khomeini realized he could not defeat Saddam Hussein and accepted a peace treaty with him. Not one to embrace humility, Khomeini felt degraded by his inability to win the war against Iraq without foreign assistance. He then passed his leadership to Ali Khamenei, donning the metaphorical "snakes" that represented his oppressive rule. Khamenei continued the legacy of violence, eliminating anyone who stood in his way.
In conclusion, a strong Iran poses a threat to Western nations. These countries have adopted a policy aimed at ensuring that the regime in Iran remains in power, which results in Iran's continued weakness as young people are either killed or flee the country for a better life.
The story of Medusa requires a hero to save Iran and its people from relentless violence. However, Perseus will not come to the rescue; he is waiting for the Iranians to step forward and become the heroes of their destiny.
Endnote:
- The New York Times. (1979, February 9). Andrew Young chided for praising Ayatollah. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/09/archives/andrew-young-chided-for-praising-ayatollah.html