Iran all slides

IRAN: THE ELEPHANT IN THE
MOUNTAINS

IRAN: “ THE CENTER OF A MOUNTAIN
FORTRESS”
• 17TH LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
• IT IS 1.7 MILLION SQUARE KILOMETRES
• LARGER THAN FOLLOWING EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
COMBINED: FRANCE, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS,
BELGIUM, SPAIN & PORTUGAL.
• 16TH MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY IN WORLD
• 70 MILLION PEOPLE.
• “ IRAN IS DEFINED, ABOVE ALL, BY ITS MOUNTAINS,
WHICH FORM FRONTIERS, ENFOLD ITS CITIES &
DESCRIBE ITS HISTORIC HEARTLAND.”

SUSA: BRONZE AGE 3000 B.C. CAPITAL
OF THE ELAMITES IN ZAGROS
MOUNTAINS

IRAN: SHORT ON WATER
• CENTRAL IRAN: EXPERIENCES SEVERE SERIAL
DROUGHT EVENTS CUMULATING TO ULTIMATE
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER.
• THROUGHOUT IRAN: SUBSTANTIAL DEPENDENCE ON
600 AQUIFERS – GROUND WATER – REDUCING
QUALITY /RECHARGE RATES (BAD MANAGEMENT +
CORRUPTION)
• URBAN CENTRES: POOR WATER QUALITY, SEWAGE
OVERFLOWS, INDUSTRIAL/AGRICULTURAL
POLLUTANTS
• DESALINATION (USING SMALL NUCLEAR PLANTS) ON
PERSIAN GULF. EG: BUSHEHR NUCLEAR PLANT.

THEY HAVE JUST DISCOVERED OIL IN
IRAN

IRAN’S GREAT KINGS: CYRUS THE
GREAT

IRAN’S DARIUS THE GREAT, THE
BATTLE OF MARATHON & ALL THAT

XERXES, THERMOPYLAE BATTLE &
BATTLEGROUND 2500 YEARS LATER.
ROAD EXTREME LEFT. SILTATION.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT CONFRONTS
DARIUS III AT GAUGAMELA BATTLE

LETTER OF MUHAMMAD THE
PROPHET TO RULER OF IRAN
“ IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL.
FROM MUHAMMAD, THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH, TO THE
GREAT KISRA OF IRAN. PEACE BE UPON HIM WHO SEEKS
TRUTH & EXPRESSES BELIEF IN ALLAH & IN HIS PROPHET &
TESTIFIES THAT THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH & THAT HE
HAS NO PARTNER & WHO BELIEVES THAT MUHAMMAD IS
HIS SERVANT & PROPHET. UNDER THE COMMAND OF
ALLAH, I INVITE YOU TO HIM. HE HAS SENT ME FOR THE
GUIDANACE OF ALL PEOPLE SO THAT I MAY WARN THEM
ALL OF HIS WRATH & MAY PRESENT THE UNBELIEVERS
WITH AN ULTIMATUM . EMBRACE ISLAM SO THAT YOU
MAY REMAIN SAFE. AND IF YOU REFUSETO ACCEPT ISLAM
YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SINS OF THE MAGI.”

RASHIDAN ARMY DEFEATS SASSANIDS
AT TOWN OF QADISIYYAH. 636 AD.

IMPACT OF CALIPHATES ON THE
IRANIAN PEOPLE.
“ THE EVENTUAL CONVERSION OF IRANIANS TO ISLAM
BROUGHT PROFOUND CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE AND
CULTURE – THE DEEPEST CULTURAL
TRANSFORMATION THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE
ENTIRE HISTORY OF IRANIAN PEOPLES, ALL THE
MORE SO SINCE ISLAM AS A RELIGION NOT ONLY
CONCERNED WITH THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF LIFE,
INCLUDING CIVIC, ECONOMIC AND JUDICIAL. ALLAH
WAS INTRODUCED AS THE SOLE CREATOR OF THE
WORLD & ITS ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGN, IRRESPECTIVE
OF THE NOTIONS OF GOOD & EVIL & THEIR
PERRENIAL BINARY OPPOSITION, SO PROMINENT IN
ZOROASTRIANISM & MANICHEISM.” (ENCY. IRANICA)

ABBASID CALIPHATE & THE
PROMINENCE OF PERSIANS

SAFAVID PADISHAH - I – IRAN, ISMAIL
vs . SELIM THE GRIM, SULTAN OF
OTTOMAN EMPIRE ( 1524 – TODAY)

SUNNI vs. SHIA
IRAQ AS THE FRONTIER WHERE SUNNI CONFRONTED
SHIA
“ THE LONG PERIOD OF TURKISH – IRANIAN HOSTILITY
WASHED OVER THE PEASANTS & TRIBESMEN BUT
AFFECTED URBAN IRAQIS IN TWO WAYS: IT SLOWED
OR PREVENTED ECONOMIC RECOVERY, & IT
SOLIDIFIED THE DIVISION OF THE POPULATION
BETWEEN SUNNIS & SHI’IS. URBAN SUNNIS TENDED
TO IDENTIFY WITH THE OTTOMAN GOVERNMENT ,
WHILE URBAN SHI’IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE IRANIANS.
BUT THE DIFFERENCES WERE FAR MORE PROFOUND
THAN THIS STATEMENT SUGGESTS.” (WILLIAM R
POLK. “UNDERSTANDING IRAQ”)

SHAH ABBAS I & EUROPEAN TRADE
(EAST INDIA COMPANY. 1598)

IRAN’S QAJAR RULERS (1797-1834)
BORE BRUNT OF “EASTERN
QUESTION” IN RELATION TO IRAN
“ ON THE ONE HAND, THE PRESENCE OF
EUROPEAN POWERS HELPED STABILIZE THE
IRANIAN FRONTIERS & CONSOLIDATE THE QAJAR
STATE. ON THE OTHER HAND, EUROPEAN
STRATEGIC, TERRITORIAL & COMMERCIAL
AMBITIONS TURNED IRAN INTO AN ARENA OF
INTENSE - & AT TIMES HIGHLY DISRUPTIVE -
RIVALRIES. EUROPE’S TERRITORIAL GAINS &
DIPLOMATIC PRESSURES CAME WITH
INTERVENTIONS IN IRAN’S DOMESTIC AFFAIRS &
WITH A RACE TO ACQUIRE COMMERCIAL &
OTHER ADVANTAGES, CAPITULATORY RIGHTS, &
LATER, ECONOMIC CONCESSIONS.” (A. AMANAT)

CONSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTION 1906-
1911. REVOLUTIONARIES MEET
RUSSIAN COSSACKS IN TABRIZ

REZA SHAH PAHLEVI: MILITARY
STRONGMAN. 1925 – 1941.

MOHAMMAD REZA PAHLAVI.
1941 – 1979 (EXCL 1953 COUP)

OPERATION AJAX: CIA/SIS
OVERTHROW OF PRIME MINISTER &
REINSTATEMENT OF SHAH (1953)

AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI
“ A SEGMENT OF THE CLERGY, HEADED BY GRAND
AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI, BEGAN TO VOICE
DISAGREEMENT WITH THE WHITE REVOLUTION (U.S. LED
MODERNISATION OF IRAN) BASED ON RELIGIOUS
GROUNDS, ARGUING THAT THE REFORMS STRIPPED THE
COUNTRY OF ITS RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL IDENTITY.
GRANTING SUFFRAGE TO WOMEN WAS VIEWED BY THIS
SEGMENT OF THE CLERGY AS FAKE, DECEPTIVE & AIMED
AT WESTERNIZATION OF THE COUNTRY. THERE WAS ALSO
MOUNTING OPPOSITION WITHIN THE URBAN WORKING
CLASS & INTELLIGENTSIA.THEY WERE CRITICAL OF
REFORMS THAT HAD NOT TRANSLATED INTO
MEANINGFUL POLITICAL RIGHTS & PARTICIPATION IN THE
COUNTRY’S GOVERNANCE.” (S. H. MOUSAVIAN.)

KHOMEINI’S LEADERSHIP VISION FOR
THE UMMA
“ AYATULLAH KHOMEINI ARTICULATED A
POWERFUL VISION THAT THE CLERGY
SHOULD NOT ONLY ADVISE BUT RULE.
RATHER THAN ABSTRACT THEORY, THIS WAS
THE ENGINE OF A REVOLUTIONARY
MOVEMENT & THE TEMPLATE FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF AN ‘ISLAMIC REPUBLIC’
THAT WOULD SERVE AS A BEACON FOR
MUSLIMS EVERYWHERE.” ( J PISCATORI &
AMIN SAIKAL. “ISLAM. BEYOND BORDERS”)

LEADERSHIP OF THE UMMA
“ THE SAUDI-IRANIAN SECTARIAN &
GEOPOLITICAL RIVALRIES & PROXY
CONFLICTS HAD REACHED A VERY HIGH
PITCH, UNDERMINING ANY CHANCE OF
REGIONAL COOPERATION, LET ALONE UNITY
WITHIN THE UMMA …. THE ISLAMIC
REPUBLIC OF IRAN HAS BEEN MARGINALISED
IN THE SAUDI-LED SUNNI DOMINATED
ORGANISATION (OF ISLAMIC
COOPERATION).” ( PISCATORI & SAIKAL)

FRONT LINES OF IRAN – IRAQ WAR

IRAN-IRAQ WAR AS THROWBACK TO
600 AD CALIPHATE WARS
THE BUTCHER’S BILL
• 835,000 COMBATANTS KILLED
• 900,000 COMBATANTS WOUNDED
• 2.2 MILLION COMBATANTS WITH P.T.S.D.
• 1,200,000 CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
• AT LEAST 4 MILLION CIVILIANS P.T.S.D.
BANKER’S BILL
$ 2.3 TRILLION

KHOMEINI’S INTERPRETATION OF 8
YEAR WAR WITH IRAQ
• THE WAR WAS GOD’S HIDDEN GIFT TO IRAN:
A VITAL OUTLET FOR MARTYRDOM.
• ENABLED ISTISHHAD: SELF-MARTYRDOM.
• “ DO YOU ALSO CRITICISE GOD WHEN HE
SENDS AN EARTHQUAKE?”

IRAN’S ECONOMY IN TROUBLE
IMF ECONOMIC FORECAST FOR IRANIAN
ECONOMY 2020 OVER 2019
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT GROWTH: 0.2 %
INFLATION RATE: 31%
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 16.1%

IRAN: THE ELEPHANT IN THE MIDDLE
EASTERN ROOM

LECTURE 2: IRAN. IRON AGE TO 21ST
CENTURY

THE FEDERATED STATE OF ELAM: 3200
– 2700 B.C.

SUSA: CAPITAL OF BRONZE AGE
CIVILISATION OF ELAM

THE ZAGROS MOUNTAINS: ONE WALL
OF THE IRANIAN CITADEL

LARGE RAINFALL EVENTS ARE MORE
FREQUENT NOW: NORTH/WEST IRAN

MOST OF IRAN IS IN PROLONGED
DROUGHT

ZAGROS MOUNTAIN CAVERN. 50 BCM
GROUNDWATER HARVEST ANNUALLY

TEHRAN’S RAPID EXPANSION: WATER
QUALITY (?) & HIGH CONSUMPTION

LAND USE IN IRAN: IMPLICATIONS
FOR AGRICULTURE

IRAN’S GLOBAL MARKET FOR
NUTS/DRIED FRUIT WORTH $1.2 BN.

IRAN’S MINERAL RESOURCES
• IRAN SITS ON 94 BILLION TONNES DEPOSITS OF
68 DIFFERENT MINERALS – 7% OF WORLD
RESERVES
• 6000 MINES EXTRACT 200 MILLION TONNES PER
YEAR –SMALL % OF RESERVES
• MAIN MINERALS: BAUXITE; IRON ORE;
FELDSPAR; SALT; KAOLIN; SILICAAMMONIA;
SULPHUR & PYRITES; SILICA.
• 45 MILLION TONNES OF CEMENT & 33 MILLION
TONNES HYDRAULIC CEMENT.

RECENT IRANIAN STEEL PRODUCTION

CASPIAN SEA OIL & GAS 1848 - 2020

WILLIAM KNOX D’ARCY’S FIRST OIL
WELL IN IRAN

IRAN’S PROVEN NATURAL GAS
RESERVES

NATIONAL IRANIAN PETROCHEMICAL
COMPANY ARAK PLANT

NATIONAL IRANIAN PETROCHEMICAL
COMPANY (NIPC)
• REVENUE OF $20 BILLION
• EMPLOYS 37,000 PEOPLE
• PRODUCES 10% OF WORLD’S METHANOL
• EXPORTS OF PETROCHEMICALS; 49 BILLION PER
YEAR: POLYETHYLENE,BENZENE,AMMONIA,
SULPHUR, PVC, PROPYLENE
• OPERATES THROUGH 37 AFFILIATES AND IN
MANY OVERSEAS VENTURES.
• CORRUPT MANAGEMENT?

IRAN’S ENERGY RESOURCES
ENERGY SOURCES AVAILABLE TO IRAN:
+1140 million tonnes solid fuel
+ 156 billion barrels of liquid fuel
+ 33 million cubic feet of gas
+ 1407 tonnes of uranium
ELCTRICITY CONSUMPTION RISING AT 7% P. YR.
BUSHEHR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PRODUCES
35,443 MILLION kWh ELECTRICITY PER YEAR,
SAVING NATURAL GAS FOR EXPORT MARKETS.

JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF
ACTION (IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL) & U.S.
• AGREEMENT ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM BETWEEN IRAN &
‘P5+1’ ( ALL UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS – CHINA, FRANCE,
RUSSIA, U.K., & U.S. (5) + GERMANY (+1) 14 JULY 2015:
*ELIMINATE STOCKPILE OF MEDIUM-RICH
URANIUM, CUT STOCKPILE OF LOW UR.
BY 98%, 2/3RDS OF GAS CENTRIFUGES
* UNTIL 2030 ONLY ENRICH UR. UP TO 3.67%
* NOT BUILD ANY HEAVY-WATER FACILITIES
UNTIL 2030
* IAEA TO MONITOR (EVEN AFTER IRAN ABANDONED
PLAN ON 5 JANUARY 2020)
* IAEA GAVE IRAN A BIG TICK IN ITS 2019 REPORT

U.S. SANCTIONING HISTORY AGAINST
IRAN (1)
• NOVEMBER 1979: OVERTHROW OF SHAH MOHAMMAD
REZA & ESTABLISHMENT OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC.
• 2000: SANCTIONS REDUCED ON IRANIAN IMPORTS
PHARMACEUTICALS/MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & EXPORTS OF
CAVIAR & RUGS
• 1979 -2000: IRAN DIVERSIFIES TRADE TO: CENTRAL ASIA;
MIDDLE EAST, ASIA. (ESPECIALLY HYDROCARBONS)
• 2000 +: RUSSIA & TURKEY BECOME BIG TRADE &
POLITICAL PARTNERS (ESPECIALLY SYRIAN WAR)
• LARGE WORLD CORPORATIONS & INDIVIDUAL
ORGANISATIONS IN IRAN SINGLED OUT FOR PENALTIES 7
SANSTIONS.

U.S. WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAN
NUCLEAR DEAL. 8 MAY 2018 (2)
• U.S. CONGRESS APPROVED THIS ACTION IN
JULY 2017, WITH “COUNTERING
COUNTERING AMERICA’S ADVERSARIES
THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT”: RUSSIA, NORTH
KOREA & IRAN
• TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INCLUDED IRAN BY
APPROVING “ COUNTERING IRAN’S
DESTABILIZING ACT”

IRAN’S DEFENCE RESOURCES
“ IRAN IS A FORTRESS. SURROUNDED ON THREE SIDES BY
MOUNTAINS AND ON THE FOURTH BY THE OCEAN, WITH
WASTELAND AT ITS CENTRE, IRAN IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO
CONQUER. THIS WAS ACHIEVED ONCE BY THE MONGOLS, WHO
ENTERED THE COUNTRY FROM THE NORTHEAST. THE OTTOMANS
PENETRATED THE ZAGROS MOUNTAINS AND WENT NORTHEAST
AS FAR AS THE CASPIAN BUT MADE NO ATTEMPT TO MOVE INTO
THE PERSIAN HEARTLAND.
IRAN IS A MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY LOOKING FOR INHABITABLE
PLAINS…WHAT PLAINS THER ARE IN THE REGION LIE TO THE WEST
IN MODERN DAY IRAQ…IF IRAN COULD DOMINATE THESE PLAINS,
AND COMBINE THEM WITH ITS OWN POPULATION, THEY WOULD
BE THE FOUNDATION OF IRANIAN POWER.”

IRAN’S MILITARY CAPACITY BUILT
DURING SHAH REZA MOHAMMAD
WITH U.S. HELP
• 1971 - 1975. $ 9 BILLION EQUIPMENT PLUS
CREATION OF EFFICIENT OFFICER CORPS
• 1973 SHAH ESTABLISHED IRAN ELECTRONIC
INDUSTRIES , IRAN AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES
(FIGHTER AIRCRAFT), IRAN HELICOPTER
INDUSTRIES (HELICOPTERS WITH HELP FROM
BELL CORP.)
• 1977. PROJECT FLOWER. JOINT U.S., ISRAEL,
IRAN PROJECT TO COPY U.S. MISSILE
TECHNOLOGY.
• 1979. MILITARY CO-OPERATION CEASED.

IRAN TURNS TO RUSSIA FOR NUCLEAR
AND MISSILE TECHNOLOGY. 1995 -
1999
• MATERIALS/COMPONENTS RD 214 ROCKET
• MANUFACTURING & TESTING EUIPMENT
(WIND TUNNELS, MANUFACTURING
EQUIPMENT, ROCKET TESTING EQUIPMENT)
• TRAINING & KNOWHOW ( RUSSIAN
SPECIALISTS EMBEDDED IN IRAN FACILITIES)
• CONTRACTUAL & PERMANENT RECUITMENT
OF RUSSIAN MISSILE TECHNOLOGISTS.

IRAN’S CAPACITY TO WAGE
PROLONGED WAR
• IRAN-IRAQ WAR DEMONSTRATED ITS CAPACITY TO
SUSTAIN HEAVY CASUALTIES IN A PROTRACTED WAR
(EG: ISTISHHAD)
• IRAN SPENDS $19 BILLION ANNUALLY ON DEFENCE –
4.6% OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT – ABOUT
DOUBLE THAT OF WESTERN COUNTRIES AVERAGE.
• IRAN’S CAPACITY TO BUILD A “FAIR AVERAGE
QUALITY” INTO DEFENCE EQUIPMENT HAS BUILT
DEFENCE EXPORTS TO 100 COUNTRIES
• IRAN HAS A STANDING MILITARY RESERVE OF 1.4
MILLION MEN

IMF BAR CHART OF IRAN’S GROSS
DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)

IRAN OIL EXPORTS UNDER SANCTION
(1)

IRAN OIL EXPORST UNDER SANCTION
(2)
• MARCH 2012 TO : U.S. SANCTIONS DROPPED OIL
PRODUCTION OF 3.7 MILLION BARRELS PER DAY
(BPD) DOWN TO 3.0 BPD.
• EUROPEAN UNION BANNED IMPORTS DROPPING
PRODUCTION TO 2.5 BPD. UNTIL 2015.
• EARLY 2018: OIL PRODUCTION INCREASED TO 3.8 BPD
AS 7 COUNTRIES EXEMPTED: CHINA, INDIA, SOUTH
KOREA, TAIWAN, TURKEY, GREECE & ITALY.
• LATE 2018: SANCTIONS RE-INSTATED. PRODUCTION
DROPPED TO 2.5 BPD
• MARCH 2019: EXPORTS FELL TO 1.1 BPD.

MIDDLE CLASS IRANIANS IN GRAND
BAZAAR, TEHRAN: SPOT THE ONE IN
FIVE UNEMPLOYED IRANIANS

LECTURE 3. IRAN: THE
CENTURIES OF THE GREAT KINGS

PERSIA’S ACHAEMENID DYNASTY
• THE ACHAEMENID DYNASTY BEGAN IN A
PERSIAN CLAN, REGARDED AS THE BRAVEST OF
10 PERSIAN TRIBES IN THE NORTH OF IRAN.
CHALLENGED BY MEDES,ASSYRIANS &
URARTIANS THEY MOVED SOUTH TO BETTER
LAND.
• THE EMPIRE FOUNDED BY CYRUS II (THE GREAT),
IT WOULD INCLUDE IRAN, MESOPOTAMIA,NEAR
EAST, EGYPT, NORTHWEST INDIA & PARTS OF
CENTRAL ASIA.

CYRUS II ( 559- 530 BC)THE GREAT,
KING OF ANSHAN, KING OF PERSIA,
KING OF MEDIA, KING OF THE WORLD

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CYRUS
• WARFARE: APPOINTED A MILITARY GENIUS AS
COMMANDER (HARPAGUS);CREATED THE
“IMMORTALS”; CREATED “EARTH RAMP” SIEGE ROAD.
(USED LATER BY ROMANS AGAINST MASADA); BIG ON
CAVALRY (20% TOTAL ARMY);CHARIOTS WITH SCYTHES
ON WHEELS; MILITARY ENGINEERS &LOGISTICIANS.
• GOVERNMENT: CENTRALISED GOVERNMENT &
UNIFIED IRANIAN PEOPLE DIFFERENT CULTURES &
LAWS.
• GREAT BUILDER: PALACES & GARDENS AT
PASARGADAE

PERSIAN IMMORTALS (IF ONE FELL HE
WAS IMMEDIATELY REPLACED)

CYRUS’ PALACE: PILLARED AUDIENCE
HALL, LIVING & ADMINISTRATION.
CHANNELS FOR WATER - GARDENS

DARIUS I (522-486BC)KING OF KINGS,
GREAT KING, KING OF PERSIA,KING
OF BABYLON, PHARAOH OF EGYPT

DARIUS ESTABLISHES CONNECTION
GREECE 510 BC BUT ATHENS &
OTHERS RISE UP: 510 BC

”WHEN THEY REACHED THE SEA THEY
DEMANDED FIRE & LAID HOLD OF
THE PERSIAN SHIPS” (ATHENIANS)

XERXES I (486-465 BC)
• EMPIRE IS AT ITS PEAK, & STILL WANTED GREECE
• EMPIRE INCLUDED: BABYLONIANS, ASSYRIANS,
EGYPTIANS, JEWS(ALL RETAINED INSTITUTIONS/CULTURE)
• SATRAPS (GOVERNORS) PERFORMANCE AUDITED.
• RULE OF IMPERIAL LAW NOT BASED ON RELIGION.
• ECONOMIC ACTIVITY “GLOBALISED” INSIDE/OUTSIDE
EMPIRE
• ROADS (OFTEN ALL-WEATHER), SEAWAYS VITAL &
MANAGED FOR ECONOMY & DEFENCE EG: 2600
KILOMETRE “ROYAL ROAD” SUSA – SARDIS
• EARLY SUEZ CANAL PLANS: NILE TO BITTER LAKES

SECTION OF 2600 KM. “ROYAL ROAD”
BUILT BY PERSIANS

XERXES I INVADES GREECE 480 BC
• XERXES SAILS FOR GREECE: 60,000 ARMY INCL. 10,000
IMMORTALS.
• ATHENIANS & SPARTANS KILLED XERXES “PEACE”
ENVOYS
• 10,000 ATHENIANS 7 SPARTANS MEET XERXES AT VALE
OF TEMPE.
• PERSIANS WITHDREW & MARCHED ON ATHENS
THROUGH THERMOPYLAE.
• SPARTAN 300 TO STOP THEM AT PASS OF
THERMOPYLAE ( ATHENIANS AT A FESTIVAL OF
OLYMPIC GAMES)
• XERXES’ IMMORTALS KILL 300 SPARTANS & BURN
DOWN ATHENS
• XERXES GOES ON TO CONQUER GREECE ALL THE WAY
TO GULF OF CORINTH

THERMOPYLAE (SEA IN 480 BC CAME
RIGHT UP TO LEFTHAND ROAD).
IMMORTALS FROM MOUNTAIN

GREEK VICTORY AT SALAMIS 480 BC
IMMERSED INTO GREEK PSYCHE &
LAST OF PERSIA’S GREAT KINGS

ALEXANDER OF MACEDON SUCCEEDS
PHILIP IN UNIFIED GREEK STATES (336)

30,000 GREEKS DEFEAT 100,000
PERSIANS, CAPTURE TREASURY &
FREE GREEKS IN PERSIAN AREAS

ALEXANDER DEFEATS DARIUS III
(NEARLY KILLED BY ALEXANDER)
WHO DESERTS HIS ARMY (331 BC)

ALEXANDER DIED 323BC,SELEUCUS
NICATOR CAVALRY GENERAL
BECOMES SELEUCID EMPEROR

SELEUCID EMPIRE(323-248 BC)
:PERSIA,ANATOLIA,LEVANT,
MESOPOTAMIA, NTH. AFGHANISTAN

PARTHIAN EMPIRE (248 BC – 224 AD)
COMES UP AGAINST ROME IN ASIA
MINOR

SASSANID EMPIRE (224 – 633 AD)
CENTURIES OF WAR HAD DRAINED IT
OF BLOOD & TREASURE

LECTURE 4. THE CENTURIES OF THE
CALIPHATES. 632 AD – 1258 AD.

ABU BAKR. 1ST CALIPH OF RASHIDANS
(FATHER IN LAW OF THE PROPHET)

THE CALIPHATE OF RASHIDAN’S
(RIGHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS),FIRST
RULER
• CONQUEROR OF THE ARABIAN PENINSULA IN
WAR OF APOSTASY (632-633 AD)
• COMPANION OF THE CAVE.
• COMPANION OF THE TOMB.
• ATTIQUE
• SIDDIQUE – E – AKBAR
• FIRST KHALIFA RASUL ALLAH (SUCCESSOR TO
THE MESSENGER OF GOD) (632 – 634 AD)
• 3 RASHIDAN CALIPHS FOLLOWED HIM TO 661
AD

THE RASHIDAN ARMY (CONT.)
• PREMIER LAND ARMY IN MIDDLE EAST
(ASSISTED BY A NAVY)
• CONQUERED & BROUGHT TO ISLAM: SYRIA
(637); ARMENIA (639); EGYPT (639); NORTH
AFRICA (652); CYPRUS (654); PERSIA & IRAQ
(633 – 651)
• 120,000 MAN ARMY ORGANISED ON ROMAN
ARMY LINES, SPECIALISING IN LIGHT CAVALRY
(HORSES & CAMELS).
• WHEN FIGHTING SASSANID ARMY RASHIDAN
DEFEATED BY WAR ELEPHANTS

RASHIDANS BRING SASSANID EMPIRE
INTO ISLAM 651 AD

SASSANID (PERSIAN) EMPIRE WAS
THE PROPHET’S MOST VALUED
CONVERSION TO ISLAM
“ IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL. FROM
MUHAMMAD, THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH, TO THE GREAT KISRA
OF IRAN. PEACE BE UPON HIM WHO SEEKS TRUTH & EXPRESSES
BELIEF IN ALLAH & IN HIS PROPHET & TESTIFIES THAT THERE IS NO
GOD BUT ALLAH & THAT HE HAS NO PARTNER & WHO BELIEVES
THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT & PROPHET. UNDER THE
COMMAND OF ALLAH I INVITE YOU TO HIM. HE HAS SENT ME FOR
THE GUIDANCE OF ALL PEOPLE SO THAT I MAY WARN THEM OF
HIS WRATH & MAY PRESENT THE UNBELIEVERS WITH AN
ULTIMATUM. EMBRACE ISLAM SO THAT YOU MAY REMAIN SAFE.
AND IF YOU REFUSE TO ACCEPT ISLAM YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE SINS OF THE MAGI” *
(* MAGI WERE PRIESTS OF ZOROASTRIANISM – OFFICIAL RELIGION
OF PERSIA – “GREAT KISRA” WOULD THEN BE RULED AS
‘DEFENDER OF THE FAITH’ OF ZOROASTRIANISM & THEREFORE
HELD TO ACCOUNT AS ‘CHIEF HERETIC’ OF A ‘BLACK MAGIC’
FAITH.)

UMAYYAD CALIPHATE (661 – 750 AD)
RULED 15 MILLION SQ KMS &
BROUGHT NEARLY 34 MILL. TO ISLAM

THE UMAYYAD CALIPHATE (2)
• BEGAN BY A MECCAN CLAN, SAID BY SOME TO HAVE A COMMON
ANCESTOR WITH THE PROPHET.
• FOUGHT CIVIL WARS (FITNAS) TO ESTABLISH LEADERSHIP: BATTLE OF THE
CAMEL & BATTLE OF SIFFIN (WHERE ENEMY WAS ALI OF THE QUARYAH –
SON-IN-LAW FO THE PROHET). THE KHARIJITES (“THOSE WHO LEAVE”)
ASSASSINATED ALI.
• HASAN IBN ALI (GRANDSON OF THE PROPHET + SECOND IMAM OF THE
PROPHET TO SHII’S) MADE PEACE WITH UMAYYADS ON CONDITION: TO
RULE THEIR PEOPLE JUSTLY & DO NOT PERPETUATE A DYNASTY. THIS
STOPPED ANY FUTURE SUNNI IMAM ATTAINING THE POWER OF A
CALIPH - THIS BENDING ISLAM TOWARDS SHI’ISM.
• 680 AD THE “SECOND FITNA” BEGAN & DID NOT END UNTIL 692 AD
• THE UMAYYAD RULE BEGAN IN 680 AD & STARTED A DYNASTY WHICH
PRODUCED THE FIRST GREAT CALIPH – ABD al- MALIK.

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GREAT
CALIPH ABD al- MALIK
• THE CONSTRUCTION OF MOSQUES WHEREVER CONQUESTS WERE
MADE.
• THE DESTRUCTION OF PERSIAN & BYZANTINE ASSETS.
• THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DOME OF THE ROCK IN JERUSALEM,
ESTABLISHING AN ENDURING SYMBOL OF ISLAM IN THE CITY.
• IMPLEMENTATION OF ARABIC & ARAB CULTURE IN CONQUERED LANDS.
• REPLACED BYZANTINE & PERSIAN COINS WITH ARAB COINS.
• CAPITAL OF ISLAM RELOCATED FROM DAMASCUS TO BAGHDAD IN 744
AD.
• 711 AD UMAYYAD ARMY (MOSTLY BERBERS) CONQUERED SPAIN IN 4
YEARS
• SOCIALLY STRATIFIED PEOPLE IN CONQUERED LANDS: MUSLIM ARABS AT
THE PINNACLE; THEN MUSLIM NON-ARABS IN A PATRON-CLIENT/
MASTER/SERVANT RELATIONSHIP WITH ARABS; NON-SLAVE, NON-
MUSLIMS(CHRISTIANS, ZOROASTRIANS, ARMENIANS,
BERBERS,AFRICANS, SINDHIS, GEORGIANS, KURDS, & PAKRITI); SLAVES.

JAMEH MOSQUE IN THE IRANIAN
CITY OF YAZD

INTRODUCTION OF ISLAM TO IRAN
• ZOROASTRIANISM IN PERSIA SAW GOOD & EVIL IN
PERMANENT OPOSITION.
• EVIL, PERSONIFIED IN AHRIMAN & MANY OTHER
DEMONS, WAS DRIVEN OUT.
• THE 4 ELEMENTS, FIRE, WATER, EARTH & AIR WERE NO
LONGER SACRED.
• APART FROM THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS, ISLAM BROUGHT
CONTROL OF CIVIC, ECONOMIC & JUDICIAL MATTERS OF
LIFE.
• ARABIC WORDS ENTERED THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE.
• ARABS DISPLACED PERSIANS IN GOVERNMENT.
• SELECTED CLANS IN THE COUNTRY WERE TREATED AS
MAWALI (CLIENT MEMBERS OF ARAB TRIBES)

THE ABBASID CALIPHATE (750 – 1258)

ABBASID CALIPHATE (1)
• UMAYYAD RULE IN PERSIA WAS OPPRESSIVE,
PROMPTING REBELLION IN KHORASAN IN
NTH.EAST BORDERING CENTRAL ASIA (HOTBED
OF SHI’ISM AND AGAINST SUNNI UMAYYADS)
• PERSIANS FLOCKED TO SHI’ISM BECAUSE
DOCTRINES CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH PERSIAN
CULTURE – ESPECIALLY FARR (DIVINE RIGHT OF
KINGS ESTABLISHED IN ERA OF GREAT KINGS)
• SHI’ISM SPREAD TO LEADERS IN PERSIA, INCL.
ABU MOSLEM WHO DEFEATED UMAYYADS 748
AD.

ABBASID CALIPHATE (2)
• ABBASIDS WERE ARAB CLAN CLAIMING DESCENT FROM ABBAS
IBN al-MUTTALIB, UNCLE OF THE PROPHET, & OF THE HAHEMIYYA
CLAN.
• ABBASIDS CLAIMED GREATER LEGITIMACY FOR LEADERSHIP OF
ISLAM BASED ON THEIR BLOODLINE (UMAYYADS ONLY HAD A
COMMON ANCESTOR OF THE PROPHET).
• COBBLED TOGETHER A COALITION OF DISAFFECTED CLANS: THE
SHI’IS WHO HAD THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIONS BECAUSE OF
MURDER OF HUSSEIN IBN ALI THE LEGITIMATE HEIR TO UMAYYAD
LEADERSHIP; NEPOTISM TOWARDS SYRIANS; IMAMS UPSET
BECAUSE UMAYYADS HAD ADOPTED DYNASTIC RULE, AGAINST
THEIR UNDERTAKING TO AVOID IT.
• 750 AD: AN ABBASID ARMY LED BY ABU MOSLEM DEFEATED
UMMAYADS AT ZAB RIVER – ON BEHALF OF THE SELF-APPOINTED
ABBASID CALIPH OF ISLAM – ABUL ‘ ABBAS al- SAFFAH

THE ABBASIDS & THE RISE OF THE
PERSIANS
• THE CALIPHATE ARMY WAS LED BY PERSIAN
KHORASANIAN GUARDS
• STATE POLICIES WERE SHAPED & CARRIED
OUT BY PERSIAN ADMINISTRATORS.
• PROMINENT PERSIAN FAMILIIES WERE IN
THE VIZIERATE ELITE
• POMP & CEREMONY WHICH RULED THE OLD
PERSIAN COURTS EMERGED AGAIN

“HER SPEECH IS LIKE EMBROIDERY
LODGED IN THE CORE OF MY HEART”

CALIPH HARUN al- RASHID &
ABBASID ALLIANCE WITH
CHARLEMAGNE’S EMPIRE

THE HOUSE OF WISDOM CREATED BY
HARUN al-RASHID IN BAGHDAD
• LIBRARY CONTAINING WORKS OF GREEKS,
ROMANS,PERSIANS IN DAMASCUS TRANSFERRED TO
BAGHDAD: MEDICINE, ALCHEMY, PHYSICS,
MATHEMATICS, & ASTROLOGY.
• PAPERMAKING TECHNOLOGY WAS ENHANCED TO
MAKE WIDE RANGE OF PRINTED WORKS AVAILABLE.
• BAGHDAD BECAME CENTRE OF LEARNING
THROUGHOUT CALIPHATE TEACHING GREAT
ARCHITECTS & PHYSICIANS
• CENTRE OF HIGHER LEARNING (3000 STUDENTS)
ESTABLISHED AT AL-NIZAMIYYA.

THE HOUSE OF WISDOM IMAGINED
1065 AD (NOTE WOMEN SCHOLARS)

OUSTING SHI’I INFLUENCE IN PERSIA
FROM 800s
• WITH THE DEATH OF HAROUN al-RASHID
PUSHBACK CAME FROM ARAB FAMILIES TO
OUST PERSIAN ELITE FROM POSITIONS OF
INFLUENCE IN BAGHDAD - CAPITAL OF ISLAM.
• FIRST PUSHBACK CAME FROM ARAB SCHOLARS.
• ARABS WERE GOD’S SUPREMELY FAVOURED
NATION
• PERSIANS WERE LABELLED ‘ENEMIES OF ISLAM’
• 763 AD: SHI’I INSURRECTION IN SOUTHERN
IRAQ . 15,000 SLAUGHTERED IN BATTLE OF
BAKHAMRA.

DISINTEGRATION OF THE ABBASID
CALIPHATE
• LOCAL GOVERNORS OF CALIPHATE PROVINCES
HUNG ON TO REVENUES INSTEAD OF SENDING
TO BAGHDAD.
• BY 1000 AD PROVINCES HAD ESTABLISHED
DYNASTIC WARLORDS WHO HAD OUSTED
GOVERNORS.
• INVADERS FROM TURKESTAN TO CHINA
DESCENDED ON CALIPHATE, LED BY SELJUQ
TURKS (BRILLIANT HORSE SOLDIERS)
• BY 1037 PERSIA WAS ABSORBED INTO THE
SELJUQ EMPIRE COVERING 3.9 M. SQ. KMS.

ABBASIDS BACK IN CONTROL OF
BAGHDAD (ISLAM’S HEART) 1157 AD
ARE KILLED BY MONGOLS IN 1258 AD

LECTURE 5. IRAN: EARLY MODERN
HISTORY (1502 – 1906) EMPIRE OF
TIMUR THE LAME (1381)

THE MONGOLS (1)
• AT ITS HEIGHT THE MONGOL EMPIRE COVERED 24
MILLION SQUARE MILES (16% OF THE EARTH’S
LANDMASS), RULED 100 MILLION PEOPLE &
SURVIVED UNTIL 1740.
• IN 1243 THEY DESTROYED THE SELJUQ/TURK EMPIRE.
• AFTER THE BRUTAL DESTRUCTION OF BAGHDAD IN
1258 BY MONGOL WARLORD HULAGU HE
ESTABLISHED A MONGOL TRIBAL EMPIRE
INCORPORATING: IRAN, AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA,
AFGHANISTAN, TURKEY, TURKMENISTAN, PAKISTAN,
IRAQ, GEORGIA, SYRIA, TAJIKISTAN & RUSSIA.

THE MONGOLS (2)
• THERE WERE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES FOR THE BALANCE OF POWER
BETWEEN SUNNI & SHIA. SUNNI POWER BUILT UNDER THE SELJUKS
COLLAPSED.
• SUNNI MADHHAB (SCHOLASTICISM/LAW)
DIMINISHED ESPECIALLY IN IRAN WHICH HAD BEEN AN INTELLECTUAL
HUB FOR THE HANIFA SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY.
• SHI’I SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES LIVING UNEASILY IN KASHAN, QOM
&GILAN IN SUNNI IRAN WERE ENCOURAGED BY MONGOLS 1256 – 1370
– ESPECIALLY THE TWELVER SCHOOL –GIVEN SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE
POSTS IN THE MONGOL EMPIRE.
• 1381 BROUGHT THE TURCO-MONGOL WARLORD TIMUR THE LAME
(“TAMBERLAINE” IN MARLOWE’S PLAY). HIS TIMURID EMPIRE WAS ONE
OF THE MOST BLOODY & TYRANNICAL IN HUMAN HISTORY – ESPECIALLY
FOR IRAQIS.
• 1401: TIMUR FLATTENED WHAT WAS LEFT OF BAGHDAD & KILLED
90,000, & IT BECAME A NEGLECTED OUTPOST OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

BRITISH ENGINEERS, 1920s:
“BAGHDAD - A CITY OF CEMETERIES
& NEGLECT” ( A CEMETERY PHOTO)

THE SAFAVID EMPIRE (1501 – 1736)

THE SAFAVIDS (1)
• SHI’I ADMINISTRATORS SURVIVED IN POWER AFTER TIMUR’S
DEATH & THE COLLAPSE OF HIS EMPIRE.
• THE SUFI ORDER WITHIN SHI’ISM FLOURISHED UNDER A
CHARISMATIC IMAM – SAFI-AL-DIN. IN 1301, HIS SUFI SCHOOL –
ZAHEDIYEH –CHANGED ITS NAME TO SAFAVIYYA & ESTABLISHED A
STRONGHOLD IN ARDABIL, IRAN.
• TURKOMAN WARLORDS (ZAERBAIJAN/ARMENIA MOSTLY) RULED
PARTS OF IRAN.
• 1501. A WARLORD’S DESCENDANT – ISMA’IL - FOUNDED THE
SAFAVID DYNASTY, DECLARED HIMSELF IRAN’S RULER &
CHAMPION & PROPAGATOR OF THE SHI’I FAITH
• HE WAS RECOGNISED AS SUCH BY THE OTTOMANS – CHAMPIONS
& UNVALIDATED (BY IMAMS) CALIPHS OF THE SUNNI FAITH.

THE SAFAVIDS (2). SELIM I, OTTOMAN
SULTAN vs. ISMAIL I, RULER OF SHI’I
IRAN
• SELIM WAS “…DEDICATED ABOVE ALL TO THE
EXTERMINATION FROM HIS EMPIRE OF THE
HERESY OF SHI’ISM. HIS MAIN ENEMY WAS ITS
EXPONENT... ISMAIL…AFTER MASSACRING
40,000 ISMAIL FOLLOWERS HE RECEIVED THE
TITLE “THE JUST”.
• SELIM HANDED OVER TO SULIEMAN THE
MAGNIFICENT 1520 – UNLEASHED 300 YEARS OF
VIOLENT SUNNI –SHIA COMPETITION WHICH IS
STILL WITH US IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

EMPIRE vs. EMPIRE. (WARS FROM
1534 – 1566. OTTOMANS IN SLOW
DECLINE AFTER 1566)

SHAH TAMASP OF SAFAVID PERSIAN
EMPIRE (1529 – 1576) (1)
“ GRADUALLY THE INCIPIENT SHI’I SOCIETY (OF TAMASP’S
PERSIA) BEGAN TO ADOPT RELIGIOUS RITUALS AND
PRACTICES THAT WOULD REMAIN CHARACTERISTIC OF
SHI’ISM FOR CENTURIES TO COME. INTRICACIES OF
PRAYER & FASTING, ABLUTION, AWARENESS OF RITUAL
POLLUTANTS & METHODS OF CLEANLINESS, & THE
ASSIGNMENT OF SHARI’A - VALIDATED GENDER ROLES.
ALL ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW SHI’ISM DEFINED THE
PRIVATE REALM. FRIDAY CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS, THE
CREATION OF CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS, AND THE
PROMOTION OF MOHARRAM MOURNING RITUALS WERE
AMONG THE PUBLIC ASPECTS.” (ABBAS AMANAT)

SHAH TAMASP OF SAFAVID PERSIAN
EMPIRE (2)
• REORGANISED PERSIAN ARMY INTO DISCIPLINED UNITS ARMED WITH MUSKETS
& ARTILLERY.
• RECOVERED LOST CITIES CAPTURED BY OTTOMANS WHO GRANTED PERSIANS
ACCESS TO MECCA & MEDINA ON CONDITION THEY GIVE UP THE SHI’I RITUAL OF
ANATHEMISING & CURSING THE ORIGINAL CALIPHS.
• GAVE HIS MALE RELATIVES GOVERNORSHIPS & IMPORTANT POSTS IN PERSIA.
• CREATED CIRCASSIAN & GEORGIAN ELITE TROOPS.
• RIGOUROUSLY PROSELYTIZED SHI’ISM
• PROMOTED CULTURAL & ARTISTIC FLOWERING IN PERSIA
• PERSIAN ARTISTS, CRAFTSMEN & SCHOLARS WERE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER IN
MUGHAL INDIAN & OTTOMAN COURTS.
• ON HIS DEATH IN 1576: 9 SONS BY DIFFERENT WIVES WERE LEFT TO FIGHT OUT
THE SUCCESSION - EVENTUALLY LEADING TO A KILLING SPREE BY ISMAIL II OF 7
HALF BROTHERS. ONE WAS SPARED BECAUSE HE WAS NEARLY BLIND –
MOHAMMAD KHUDABANDA (GOD’S SLAVE).
• ISMAIL THEN TRIED TO CONVERT HIS COURT BACK TO THE SUNNI FAITH, BUT BY
NOW HE WAS AN ADVANCED ADDICT OF OPIUM, & WAS ASSASSINATED BY HIS
HALF-SISTER WITH AN OPIUM OVERDOSE.

KHAYR AL-NESA.ASSASSINATED BY
RIVALS & DISMEMBERED IN GRAND
MIDDLE EASTERN TRADITION (1579)

SHAH ABBAS I ( 1588 – 1629)
THE LAST OF THE GREAT SAFAVIDS
• SON OF KHAYR AL-NESA BEGUM WHO WAS MURDERED &
DISMEMBERED
• 1579 – 1588 YEARS OF WEAK & CHAOTIC LEADERSHIP IN WHICH
OTTOMANS ATTACKED WESTERN IRAN, TOOK THE CAPITAL,
TABRIZ, MASSACRED PEOPLE, SOLD SURVIVORS AS SLAVES.
• 16 YEAR OLD SHAH ABBAS BEGAN CREATING A CULTURE OF
PERSONAL LOYALTY TO THE SHAH SHAISHISHEVAN (LOVE OF THE
SHAH)
• SHAH ABBAS REBUILT THE ARMY (UNITS SET ALONG MANY
EHTNIC LINES). ALLOWED CITIZENS TO CARRY HAND GUNS.
• EUROPEAN MILITARY ADVISERS & WEAPONS BUILT AN ARMY OF
12,000 MUSKETEERS, 12,000 ARTILLERYMEN, & 500 MODERN
CANNONS. ARMY BECAME AN INSTITUTION OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
• 1603 – 1612 LAUNCHED NEW ARMY AGAINST OTTOMANS,
RECAPTURING PERSIAN TERRITORY FROM OTTOMANS

TEHRAN 1618 (NASF-E JAHAN)
( “NAVEL OF THE UNIVERSE”) 3000
HOUSES

GREAT BAZAAR OF ISFAHAN 1620.
SHAH ABBAS REBUILT ISFAHAN AS
SILK ROAD TRADING HUB

SHAH ABBAS’ ECONOMIC
STRENGTHENING OF PERSIA.
• IRRIGATION WORKS ON ONLY MAJOR RIVER IN
IRAN – THE ZAYANDEHRUD (THE “BIRTHING
RIVER”)
• LINKED WITH ALLEPPO IN IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST’S
LARGEST TRADING CITY.
• 1521. NEW TRADING ROUTES TO GRAND DUCHY
OF MUSCOVY
• GAVE EAST INDIA COMPANY A TRADING POST
AT JASK ON GULF OF OMAN, & EJECTED
PORTUGUESE FROM BAHRAIN & GAMBRUN TO
BECOME A MARITIME TRADER.

THE DECLINE OF THE SAFAVIDS, 1629 -
1736
• PERSIA WENT THROUGH 6 RULERS IN THIS TIME.
• EACH RULER BROUGHT UP AS “PRINCELING” IN
A QAFA (ROYAL CAGE). NO KNOWLEDGE OF
REAL WORLD. SOME DIED OF ALCOHOL,
NARCOTICS BUT MOST FROM SYPHILLIS (RIFE IN
PERSIA) & “MENTAL FEEBLENESS”.
• “ BY 1727 SAFAVID IRAN HAD NEARLY CEASED
TO EXIST AS AN EMPIRE. THE AFGHANS, THEIR
RULE HARSH & ALIEN TO THE SHI’I IRANIANS,
HELD ONLY A SEMBLANCE OF CONTROL OVER
WHAT WAS LEFT OF IRAN

NADER SHAH AFSHAR
(1736 – 1747)
• ENSLAVED BY UZBEK TATARS AFTER RAID ON HIS VILLAGE,
ESCAPED AT 22 & BECAME A BANDIT.
• 1725 OFFERED SERVICES TO TAHMASP II, 2ND LAST SAFAVID SHAH
RULING REMNANTS OF EMPIRE.
• TAHMASP MADE HIM MILITARY COMMANDER, RECOGNISING HIS
SKILLS.
• PROVED SUPERIOR COMMANDER TO AFGHANS- USE OF CANISTER
CANNON SHOT AGAINST AFGHAN CAVALRY.
• MOST FAMOUS WAS HIS BATTLE IN THE KHYBER PASS BY MAKING
A FLANKING MOVE THROUGH PARALLEL CHATCHOOBI PASS WITH
10,000 LIGHT CAVALRY MOUNTED ON AFGHAN PONIES.
• 1747. 15 ASSASSINS CUT HIM TO PIECES, & SEVERED HIS HEAD
FOR DISPLAY TO HIS ARMY – AGAIN IN THE GRAND TRADITION.

NADER SHAH’S 80 MILE FLANK
MARCH THROUGH CHATCHOOBI PASS
(USED BY SMUGGLERS) BATTLE 1739

THE QAJAR DYNASTY
(1796 – 1925)
• WEAK MEN AGAIN RULED PERSIA FROM 1747 – 1796.
• THE FOUNDER OF THE DYNASTY WAS FAT’H - ALI SHAH QAJAR (1797 –
1834)
• “ CONSOLIDATION OF THE QAJAR DYNASTY SET THE STAGE FOR IRAN’S
GRADUAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE LONG 19TH CENTURY. NEW
STRATEGIC & ECONOMIC REALITIES, PARTICULARLY THE RISE OF TWO
EUROPEAN EMPIRES ON THE NORTHERN & SOUTHERN FRONTIERS,
TURNED IRAN INTO A BUFFER STATE, A MIXED BLESSING WITH
IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCES. DESPITE THE LOSS OF TERRITORY &
DEPLETED ECONOMIC RESOURCES, QAJAR IRAN PRESERVED ITS
POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY & REINVENTED THE PERSIAN INSTITUTION OF
KINGSHIP. STRONGER BONDS WITH THE URBAN ELITE INCLUDED THE
REVIVED CLERICAL ESTABLISHMENT, SUSTAINED THE STATE’S OTHERWISE
FRAGILE SWAY OVER THE TRIBAL PERIPHERY, & BROUGHT ABOUT A
PERIOD OF RECOVERY.”
( ABBAS AMANAT. “IRAN; A MODERN HISTORY”)

THE “EASTERN QUESTION”:
BEGINNING OF GREAT POWER, NEAR
EAST, RIVALRY (1790 – 1914)

THE EASTERN QUESTION (1)
• BEGINNING 1682: PETER THE GREAT, RUSSIA,
WANTED TO RECONQUER CONSTANTINOPLE
(CAPITAL OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE)
• “ PETER WAS WELL LAUNCHED ON AN
AGGRESSIVE POLICY OF WIDESPREAD
EXPANSION IN EUROPE & ASIA, WHICH
SUCCESSIVE TSARS WERE TO PURSUE THROUGH
THE CENTURIES TO COME” (KINROSS) (BY 1914
IT COVERED 1/6TH WORLD & 170,000,000 PEOPL)

PERSIA & THE EASTERN QUESTION
“ ON THE ONE HAND, THE PRESENCE OF EUROPEAN POWERS
HELPED STABILIZE THE IRANIAN FRONTIERS &
CONSOLIDATE THE QAJAR STATE . ON THE OTHER HAND
EUROPEAN STRATEGIC, TERRITORIAL & COMMERCIAL
AMBITIONS TURNED IRAN INTO AN ARENA OF INTENSE -
& AT TIMES HIGHLY DISRUPTIVE - RIVALRIES. EUROPE’S
TERRITORIAL GAINS & DIPLOMATIC PRESSURES CAME
WITH INTERVENTIONS IN IRAN’S DOMESTIC AFFAIRS &
WITH A RACE TO ACQUIRE COMMERCIAL & OTHER
ADVANTAGES, CAPITULATORY RIGHTS, AND, LATER,
ECONOMIC CONCESSIONS./ EUROPE’S CONDESCENDING
ATTITUDE, GRADUALLY SETTING IN AS IRAN’S
WEAKNESSES ON THE BATTLEFIELD BECAME MORE
APPARENT , SERVED AS A CULTURAL BACKUP.” (AMANAT)

THE COMING OF OIL. NOBEL BROS.
OILFIELD, BAKU, CASPIAN SEA (1800s)

RUSSO/ IRANIAN/ BRITISH WARS
(1804 – 1881)
• BY 1813: RUSSIA HAD TAKEN 2/3RD OF THE CAUCASUS REGION
FROM OTTOMANS.
• BY 1828: RUSSIA TOOK REMAINING 1/3RD OF CAUCASUS GIVING IT
A MONOPOLY OF WORLD OIL.
• 1837: RUSSO-IRANIAN FORCES ALLIED WITH AFGHAN WARLORD,
DOST MOHAMMAD, TO TAKE AFGHANISTAN.
• 1842: BRITISH ARMY OF INDUS ANNIHILATED IN AFGHANISTAN.
BUT “ARMY OF RETRIBUTION” FOLLOWED.
• 1857: BRITAIN ACQUIRED AFGHANISATAN AFTER DEFEATING
RUSSIANS IN CRIMEA.
• DUKE OF WELLINGTON: “ IT IS EASY TO GET INTO AFGHANISTAN.
THE PROBLEM IS IN GETTING OUT AGAIN.”
• 1881: RUSSIA ANNEXED TURKMENISTAN SEALING NORTHERN
BORDERS OF IRAN & AFGHANISTAN

RUSSIA vs. BRITAIN FOR INFLUENCE
IN IRAN
• IRAN’S DEFEAT BY RUSSIA LEFT DEEP SCARS:
“ THOUGH IN MANY FOREIGN INVASIONS , THIS
WAS THE FIRST LOSS OF TERRITORY (1813) TO A
CHRISTIAN POWER SINCE THE RISE OF ISLAM”
(ABBAS AMANAT)
• JOHN MALCOLM, DIPLOMAT: “ HE PORTRAYED
(TO WHITEHALL) A PERSIAN STATE THAT WAS
ALERT & EVEN AWE INSPIRING , & A SOCIETY
THAT WAS FASCINATING & COMPLEX. YET HE
POINTED TO DECADENCE & DESPOTISM
EVERYWHERE.” (ABBAS AMANAT)

WELL-TO-DO ASSYRIAN
BUSINESSMAN’s FAMILY IN TEHRAN
1890s

MIRZA HOSIAN KHAN MOSHIR AL-
DOWLAH CHIEF MINISTER TO SHAH
1873 -1881
• FOCUSSED ON ATTRACTING LARGE AMOUNTS OF
EUROPEAN CAPITAL TO INDUSTRIALISE IRAN.
• 1872. “REUTER CONCESSION” TO BARON JULIUS de
REUTER. MONOPOLY ON RAILWAY & ALL
INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING IN IRAN.
• RAISED $35 MILLION (MUCH FROM WEALTHY
BRITONS). GIGANTIC SWINDLE. PAYED OUT $1 MILL IN
BRIBES & SHAH GOT A “LUXURY” TOUR OF EUROPE
• 1881: AL-DOWLAH ASSASSINATED WITH A “QAJAR
COFFEE” POISON.

THE REGIE MONOPOLY
• 1889: MAJOR C F TALBOT GIVEN MONOPOLY BY
SHAH TO PURCHASE, DISTRIBUTE, SELL &
EXPORT IRANIAN TOBACCO.
• CREATED 5000 VERY IRATE MERCHANTS & GAVE
THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT ONLY $75,000 IN
ROYALTIES.
• MERCHANTS ORGANISED THE TOBACCO
PROTEST, INCL. A FATWA ON SMOKING
TOBACCO
• 1896: SHAH NASR AL-DIN ASSASSINATED BY
POINT BLANK SHOTS AT A STATE FUNCTION.

MOZAFFAR AD-DIN SHAH QAJAR
(1896 – 1907)
• FATHER OF THE IRANIAN CONSTITUTION WHICH BEGAN WITH THE
ORGANISATION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WHICH ALSO
BEGAN WITH INAUGURATION OF THE MAJLIS ( NATIONAL
CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY). OCTOBER 1906.
• THE SHAH IS BEST KNOWN FOR GRANTING A MONOPOLY FOR
EXPLORATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIRST EXPLORATION
COMPANY FOUNDED BY AUSTRALIA’S FIRST MINING
MILLIONAIRE, WILLIAM KNOX DARCY.
• ON MAY 26 1908, ON THE EDGE OF BANKRUPTCY HIS COMPANY
DISCOVERED THE WORLD’S LARGEST OIL & GAS DEPOSITS.
• DARCY NEVER SET FOOT IN IRAN , BUT HE EMPLOYED THE BEST
OILMEN IN THE WORLD.
• IRAN NOW MARCHED INTO THE 20TH & 21ST CENTURIES

DARCY’s FIRST OIL WELL AT MASJED –
SOLEYMAN IN IRAN

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STUDY
1. INTERNET READING
WIKIPEDIA: Safavid Dynasty; Qajar Dynasty
BALLANDALUS: The Conversion of Iran to Twelver
Shi’ism: A Preliminary Historical Overview
2. BOOKS
Get your library to lend this one – or buy the book:
ANITA AMIRREZVANI. THE BLOOD OF FLOWERS. (A
novel about a great woman designer of the carpets
of Isfahan)
JAMES JUSTINIAN MORIER. A JOURNEY THROUGH
PERSIA etc. 1780 -1849. www.gutenberg.org. E-book
no. 51819

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VIEWING
3. VIDEOS
“IN OUR TIME”
(BBC Radio Youtube. 42 minutes) “
“DECLINE & FALL OF THE SAFAVID EMPIRE”
(NYUAD Institute. 1hr. 7 mins. Youtube)
“THE LIFE & ANTECEDENTS OF A PERIPATETIC PERSIAN
SOCIETY IN THE LAST YEARS OF THE QAJAR DYNASTY”
( Library of Congress. 1hr. Youtube)
“ RUSSIA & IRAN IN THE QAJAR PERIOD; UNEASY
NEIGHBORS”
(Stanford Iranian Studies Program. 1hr. 34mins Youtube)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOVIES
“ CARRY ON UP THE KHYBER”
(Sorry folks, but I’m a great fan of the Carry On
Gang. 1 hr 25 mins of comic genius – but
definitely Non-U today)
“(HD) 2015 DISNEY’S ALADDIN: A MUSICAL
SPECTACULAR CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE”
( Film of a stage performance. 45 mins)

LECTURE 6. IRAN: THE PAHLAVI
DYNASTY

1907: ANGLO-RUSSIAN CONVENTION
& COLONIAL CARVE-UP OF IRAN
• IN TURKEY THE “YOUNG TURKS” (YOUNG PROFESSIONALS) WERE
PLANNING A COUP TO TAKE CONTROL OF A CRUMBLING
OTTOMAN EMPIRE.
• IRAN PROFESSIONALS WERE TRYING TO ESTABLISH
CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.
• BRITAIN & RUSSIA CAME TO AN AGREEMENT, AS ALLIES THIS TIME
TO PROTECT THEIR MUTUAL INTERESTS.
• THE PERSIAN GULF BECAME A BRITISH PROTECTORATE WITH 2
PORTS: BASRA (TRADE HUB IN IRAQ.) & OIL REFINERY AT ABADAN
(IRAN)
• AFGHANISTAN WAS SEALED OFF AGAINST RUSSIAN ENTRY.
• TIBET WAS MADE A BRITISH PROTECTORATE
• 8 MONTHS LATER BRITISH DISCOVERED LARGE OIL & GAS
RESERVES 100 MILES NORTH OF ABADAN, WELL OUT OF RUSSIA’S
REACH.

ANGLO-RUSSIAN CONVENTION OF
1907 & IRAN

1906: IRANIAN PARLIAMENT (MAJLIS)
FIRST JOB CREATE “FUNDAMENTAL
LAW” (CONSTITUTION)
POWER WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE LAYERS
1. THE SHAH WAS HEAD OF THE
“EXECUTIVE”BESTOWED NOT BY DIVINE RIGHT BUT
THE “DIVINE WILL OF THE PEOPLE” (A BLOODY CIVIL
WAR WOULD BE FOUGHT ON THIS ISSUE LATER)
2. 16 DEPUTIES ELECTED TO THE MAJLIS FROM:
NOBILITY, CLERICS, STUDENTS,KHANS,
LANDOWNERS, MERCHANTS & TRADE GUILDS.
3. A LIMITED NUMBER OF LAWS (QANUM) TO BE
OUTSIDE THE SPHERE OF THE SHARI’A

IRAN’S FINANCES IN DIRE STRAITS
DUE TO QAJAR COURT’S
MISMANAGEMENT
1. ANNUAL SPENDING EXCEEDED REVENUE BY
37% FORCING MORE BORROWING TO SERVICE
DEBTS.
2. LANDHOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED INTO HANDS
OF WEALTHY.
3. FINANCE INDUSTRY CONTROLLED BY BRITISH
BANK.
4. QAJARS FIELDED AN ARMY OF MERCENARIES
BACKED BY RUSSIA - “COSSACK BRIGADE”

U.S. BRUTAL INTRODUCTION TO
MIDDLE EAST REALPOLITIK 1909/11
• IRAN’S ECONOMY RAPIDLY WEAKENING - 11 CHANGES OF PRIME MINISTERS & NUMEROUS
CABINET RESHUFFLES MANY INDUCED BY BRITISH/RUSSIAN COMPETITION
• MAJLIS INVITED U.S. TO SORT OUT ITS FINANCES.
• 17 SENIOR U.S. TREASURY SENT IN FEBRUARY 1911.
• RUSSIA ORGANISED A COUP TO BRING BACK A DEPOSED QAJAR SHAH THEY WERE
PROTECTING.
• U.S. WITHDREW TEAM IN DECEMBER 1911 FOR FEAR OF ANGERING “GREAT POWERS”
• U.S. TEAM LEADER WROTE A BOOK:
“…SCENES IN WHICH TWO POWERFUL & PRESUMABLY ENLIGHTENED CHRISTIAN COUNTRIES PLAYED
FAST & LOOSE WITH TRUTH, HONOUR, DECENCY AND LAW,ONE, AT LEAST HESITATING NOT EVEN
AT THE MOST BARBAROUS CRUELTIES TO ACCOMPLISH ITS POLITICAL DESIGNS & TO PUT PERSIA
BEYOND HOPE OF SELF-REGENERATION…”
• WORLD WAR I SAW BOTH BRITAIN & RUSSIA FIGHTING TURKS & GERMAN ALLIES FROM 1915:
GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS & ASSYRIANS; RUSSIAN VICTORIES USING ASSYRIAN VOLUNTEERS.
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 1917 SAW RUSSIA WITHDRAW FROM PERSIA.
• BRITAIN MAINTAINED A PROTECTORATE OVER WHOLE OF PERSIA.
• TURKS ATTACK IN NORTHERN PERSIA MET BY ARMENIAN VOLUNTEERS FIGHTING FOR BRITISH

WILHELM WASSMUS ‘LAWRENCE OF
PERSIA’ HARRIED BRITISH IN PERSIA
1914 – 1917 WITH ANGRY TRIBESMEN

PERSIA: 1919 – 1921 (1)
1. ANGLO-PERSIAN AGREEMENT 1919 GAVE BRITAIN
ACCESS TO ALL PERSIAN OILFIELDS, IN RETURN FOR
MUNITIONS & EQUIPMENT FOR A MODERN
PERSIAN ARMY TRAINED & ADVISED BY BRITAIN.
2. ALSO, A 2 MILLION POUND STERLING LOAN TO
RETSTRUCTURE ADMINISTRATION ALONG
WHITEHALL LINES
3. ALSO, REVISED IMPORT TARIFFS & BIG ROAD
BUILDING PROGRAM.
4. FAMINE RELIEF (BUT INFLUENZA PANDEMIC KILLED
2.5 MILLION)

PERSIA: 1919 - 1921
• BRITAIN REALISED THAT PERSIA WAS NOW A FAILED STATE WITH
BANDITS & WARLORDS IN CONTROL OF HINTERLAND.
• THE OLD QAJAR RULING CLASS HAD LOST ALL AUTHORITY & THE
SHAH “…A TIMID PROCRASINATOR.”
• WHITEHALL MADE DECISION TO RESOLVE ALL ISSUES BY
DEPOSING SHAH & INSTALLING A MILITARY “STRONGMAN”.
• PRECEDENT OF INSTALLING AS PRIME MINISTER, SAYYAD ZIA, AN
IMAM WHO WAS ALSO A POLITICAL FIREBRAND.
• HE, IN TURN, WOULD APPOINT REZA KHAN, BRIGADIER COSSACK
BRIGADE, AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY & THEN
RESIGN, IN FAVOUR OF REZA KHAN AS PRIME MINISTER
(ACHIEVED IN 1923)
• FEBRUARY 1921 THE MAJLIS SIGNED THE RUSSO-PERSIAN TREATY
OF FRIENDSHIP WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE SOVIET UNION TO
OCCUPY THE COUNTRY IN WORLD WAR 2.

THE SHI’I HIERARCHY GIVE
TRADITIONAL NOD OF APPROVAL TO
REZA KHAN’S REGIME CHANGE“ DISTRUSTFUL OF SECULAR INTELLIGENTSIA IN GENERAL, &
OF THE LEFTIST RADICALS IN PARTICULAR, THE SHI’ITE
HIEROCRACY TWICE TURNED TO THE PAHLAVIS , TWICE
GIVING THEM CRUCIAL SUPPORT IN CRITICAL PERIODS.
DURING HIS RISE TO SUPREME POWER (1921-25) REZA
KHAN FEIGNED OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAYS OF RELIGIOSITY
& SUCCESSFULLY COURTED THE HIEROCRACY, EXPLOITING
THEIR FEARS OF ANARCHY & OF WESTERNISM …THE
LEADING SHI’ITE RELIGIOUS DIGNITARIES SUPPORTED
REZA KHAN & HELPED HIM TO OUST THE QAJARS &
ASCEND THE THRONE. AT LEAST TWO OF THEM HAD
PUBLICLY BRANDED THOSE WHO OPPOSED PAHLAVI’S
RULE AS ENEMIES OF ISLAM.”
(ABBAS AMANAT. “IRAN. A MODERN HISTORY”)

REZA KHAN’S RULE (1)
1921 -1925
• ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS A STRONGMAN RESTORING LAW &
ORDER.
• MADE PRIME MINISTER IN 1923.
• ORGANISED MAJLIS TO EXILE LAST QAJAR SHAH IN 1925.
• APPOINTED HIMSELF AS SHAH.
• BRITAIN WANTED SAYYAD ZIA, THEIR MAN, AS PRIME MINISTER.
• REZA KHAN EUTHANIZED THIS PLAN BY VILIFICATION CAMPAIGN
AGAINST SAYYAD ZIA
• 1925. REZA KHAN DECLARED HIMSELF SHAH WITH FULL
DICTATORIAL POWERS.
• REZA KHAN HAD MADE POWERFUL ENEMIES IN WHITEHALL
WHICH WOULD COME TO HAUNT HIM LATER

1936. FIRST WOMEN TO ENTER
IRAN’S UNIVERSITIES

REZA KHAN’S TRANSFORMATION OF
IRAN
1. REVITALISATION OF THE IRANIAN WOMEN’S MOVEMENT ESPECIALLY: EDUCATION; MANDATORY UNVEILING
OF WOMEN 1936.
2. PUBLIC EDUCATION: CREATION OF 1693 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, 235 HIGH SCHOOLS, TO FEED EDUCATED PEOPLE
INTO ARMY, ADMINISTRATION & PROFESSIONS. 1924, TEHRAN UNIVERSITY PROVIDED MEDICAL, SCIENCE &
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONS.
3. BUILT 14,000 MILES GOOD ROADS; 1450 MILES RAILWAYS (BECAUSE OF TERRAIN; 4100 BRIDGES & 224
BORED TUNNELS) $200 MILLION COST OF RAILWAYS PAID IN FULL BY TAXES ON SUGAR & TEA.
4. THE SHI’I CLERGY SURVIVED IN POWER & INFLUENCE DESPITE SHAH’S ATTEMPTS TO WEAKEN IT. BY 1935,
DEEP DIVISIONS BETWEEN REZA SHAH & THE CLERGY.
5. TRIED HARD TO REDUCE INFLUENCE OF THE BRITISH ON IRANIAN AFFAIRS.
6. CHANGED NAME TO “IRAN” – ‘LAND OF THE ARYANS”
7. AFTER LEAGUE OF NATIONS RULING IRAN GOT A BIGGER SHARE OF ANGLO-PERSIAN OIL COMPANY PROFITS
8. U.S FINANCIAL ADVISOR SENT 1922 TO SORT OUT FINANCES. BY 1926 AT LOGGERHEADS WITH REZA SHAH
WHO USED HIM TO EXTRACT FOREIGN LOANS FOR IRAN. HIS ISGUST WITH INCAPACITY FOR EFFICIENT
GOVERNANCE IN A BOOK IN 1930S GREATLY INFLUENCED US POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
9. US ADVISOR DID GET GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER CENTRAL BANK, TELEGRAPH SYSTEM, CUSTOMS DUTIES.
10. 1938 NAZI GERMANY IRAN’S MAIN TRADING PARTNER.
11. SEPTEMBER 1941 REZA SHAH ABDICATED & HANDED OVER TO HIS SON, MOHAMMAD REZA SHAH.(
ENGINEERED BY ENEMIES IN WHITEHALL BECAUSE OF HIS CLOSENESS TO HITLER)

BRITISH & SOVIET INVASION OF IRAN
AUGUST 1941 SECURES PERSIAN GULF
OIL& ROAD/RAIL TO SUPPLY RUSSIA

MOHAMMAD REZA SHAH,PRINCESS
FAWZIA & BABY SHAHNAZ. 1942

MOHAMMAD REZA SHAH, ‘LIGHT OF
THE ARYANS’,‘COMMANDER IN CHIEF’
SUCCEEDS FATHER. 16 SEPT. 1941
• 1939. ARRANGED MARRIAGE PRINCESS FAWZIA,
18 YRS., DAUGHTER KING OF EGYPT, CLIENT OF
BRITAIN. DIVORCE 1947.
• SHI’I GAVE HIM NOD OF APPROVAL.
• COMMUNIST TUDEH PARTY (PARTY OF MASSES)
TRIED TO DESTABILISE GOVERNMENT.
• SOVIETS ESTABLISHED CLIENT GOVERNMENT IN
AZERBAIJAN.
• SHAH LEADS ARMY TO RE-CAPTURE AZERBAIJAN
FOR IRAN.
• 1949 ATTEMPT ON SHAH’S LIFE UNSUCCESSFUL

SOVIET UNION PUSHES TO MOVE
INTO POST WAR IRAN
• HEAVY INVOLVEMENT IN SETTING UP TUDEH PARTY IN IRAN.
• PERTY MEMBERSHIP SKYROCKETED AMONGST SCHOOLTEACHERS,
UNIVERSITIES, LOW RANK GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, WORKERS
IN INDUSTRY & OIL.
• SHAH’S PROFILE IN MIDDLE EAST ONE OF DECADENCE.
• DIVORCED FAWZIA 1947 (EGYPTIAN ROYALTY); SHAH LINKED
WITH MANY HOLLYWOOD ACTRESSES.
• 3 FEROCIOUS NATIONALIST CRITICS OF SHAH CAME OUT OF EXILE,
LED BY DR. MOHAMMAD MOSSADEQ.
• BRITAIN & U.S. TO PUSHBACK IN MIDDLE EAST: IRAQ, & SYRIA.
• 1952: EGYPT’S KING FAROUK (CLIENT OF BRITAIN) IS TOPPLED BY
NATIONALIST MILITARY OFFICERS LED BY GAMEL ABDEL NASSER

GRACE KELLY & THE SHAH.
BEYOND CURTSIES & HANDSHAKES

BRITAIN’S STRATEGIC POSITION ON
IRAN BETWEEN ROCK & HARD PLACE
“ WHILE IRAN’S CRUDE PRODUCTION INCREASED NEARLY FIVEFOLD
TO THIRTY-ONE THOUSAND LONG TONS DAILY BETWEEN 1941 &
1950 ITS FIXED ROYALTIES OF 16% , A PALTRY ONE SIXTH OF THE
TOTAL ANGLO- IRANIAN OIL COMPANY INCOME OF 100 MILLION
POUNDS STERLING, WAS CANCELLED BY NEAR HYPERINFLATION
OF THE POST WAR YEARS. THE IRANIANS NATURALLY FELT THE
BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS NOT NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH
FOR BETTER TERMS FOR IRAN. THE BRITISH PUBLIC, IN
CONTRAST, DEMANDED THAT ITS (LABOUR) GOVERNMENT
COMPENSATE THEM FOR THEIR SACRIFICES & HARDSHIPS DURING
THE WAR & UPHOLD THE OVERSEAS INTERESTS CRUCIAL TO THE
RECOVERY OF THEIR NATION. THIS WAS IN CLEAR CONTRAST TO
DEMANDS FOR IRANIAN NATIONALIZATION.”
( ABBAS AMANAT)

DR MOSSADEQ, PRIME MINISTER,
APRIL 1951, NATIONALISES OIL
INDUSTRY IN MAY 1951• THERE WAS HUGE APPLAUSE FROM THE IRANIAN MAJLIS & THE PEOPLE FOR THE KHAL’-E YADD
(THE DISPOSSESSION)
• BRITAIN TOOK IRAN TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL & INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE.
• IRAN’S CASE WAS THAT NATIONALISATION WAS OUTSIDE INETRNATIONAL JURISDICTION.
• BRITISH NAVY BLOCKADES IRANIAN OIL CARRIERS – BANKRUPTCY THREATENS BY 1952.
• MOSCOW STRENGTHENS TUDEH PARTY TO TAKE OVER IRANIAN GOVERNMENT
• U.S. RESTRAINS BRITAIN ON MILITARY INTERVENTION
• OPPOSITION TO MOSSADEQ FROM SHAH’S SUPPORTERS – MILITARY & CONSERVATIVE ELITE
• MOSSADEQ RESIGNS AFTER DISPUTE WITH SHAH 1952
• INETRNATIONAL COURT RULES AGAINST BRITAIN
• MOSSADEQ RETURNS FOR A SECOND TERM AS US. PRESS REFER TO HIM AS “OLD MOSSY”
• ANGLOPHILES IN US GOVERNMENT SAW MOSSADEQ AS A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR
MOVEMENT INTO SOVIET ORBIT OF INFLUENCE
• ALLEN DULLES APPOINTED TO HEAD UP AN 8 YEAR OLD STRUGGLING CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
AGENCY.
• A JOINT OPERATION WITH BRITAIN’S SECRET INTELLIGENCE SERVICE TO BRING DOWN THE
MOSSADEQ GOVERNMENT & TRANSFER SUPREME POWER TO THE SHAH. – PLANNED FOR 15
AUGUST 1953.
• IN EXQUISITE TIMING JOSEF STALIN DIED & LAVRENTY BERIA , HEAD OF NKVD , (SECRET SERVICE),
WAS EXECUTED BY HIS COLLEAGUES IN CASE HE STEPPED INTO STALIN’S SHOES.

OPERATION AJAX: SHAH SUPPORTERS
IN TEHRAN CELEBRATE VICTORY

OPERATION AJAX
SUNDAY 15 AUGUST 1953
• NKVD OPERATIVES IN IRAN IN TOTAL DISARRAY AFTER BERIA’S EXECUTION
• LOYAL GUARDS OFFICERS DELIVER A ROYAL DECREE TO MOSSADEQ DISMISSING HIM FROM
OFFICE & PUTTING IN A LOYALIST GENERAL ZAHEDI.
• MOSSADEQ ARRESTS LOYALIST OFFICERS & SEEK REMOVAL OF SHAH.
• SHAH FLEES TO ITALY FEARING ASSASSINATION
• STREET BATTLES BETWEEN OOPOSING SUPPORTERS
• GENERAL ZAHEDI SHUTTLED BETWEEN SAFE HOUSES TO KEEP HIM ALIVE.
• A CIA STAGE MANAGED STREET BATTLE BETWEEN SHAH SUPPORTERS & TUDEH COMMUNISTS.
• LOY ALIST ARMED FORCES ROUND UP THOUSANDS OF ALLEGED COMMUNISTS.
• A TANK FIRES A SINGLE ROUND INTO MOSSADEQ’S HOUSE AS A DEMONSTRATION. HE IS
ARRESTED &GIVEN 3 YEARS HOUSE ARREST.
• U.S. GENERAL NORMAN SCHWARTZKOPF SENIOR DESPATCHED TO ITALY TO BRING BACK THE
SHAH.
• A CIA FACILITATED ORGANISATION SET UP TO MAINTAIN INTERNAL SECURITY: SAZEMAN-E
ETTELA ‘ AT VA AMNIYAT –E KESHVAR ( SAVAK) NATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY &
INTELLIGENCE. IT WAS TO DEVELOP A FRIGHTFUL REPUTATION FOR BRUTALITY

THE SHAH IS BACK ON HIS THRONE
• IRANIAN GOVERNMENT NOW GIVEN 50% OF NEW CORPORATION: NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL
COMPANY (NIOC). OTHER 50%: BRITISH PETROLEUM (BP)40% OF 50%; SHELL 14%; TOTAL 6%;
CHEVRON 8% EXXON 8% EXON MOBIL 8% & TEXACO 8%.
• IRAN’S OIL & GAS WILL EVENTUALLY OVERTAKE ARAMCO IN SAUDI ARABIA.
• GENERAL ZAHEDI SACKED AS PRIME MINISTER FOR CORRUPTION 1955.
• SHAH CULTIVATED SHI’I LEADERS WHO SOUGHT MORE POWER.
• TRADE-OFFS: 300,000 BAHA’I FOLLOWERS MASSACRED & PEPSI-COLA BANNED IN IRAN BECAUSE
BOTTLED BY BAHA’I COMPANY.
• PURGED MILITARY OFFICER CORPS OF CORRUPTION
• SHAH WAS NOW “GREAT LORD”: “ THE FIGUREHEAD OF LIMITED MEANS OF THE 1940S HAD
TRANSFORMED INTO A MAN OF GREAT EGO WITH A COMPLEX PERSONALITY & A BURGEONING
SENSE OF MISSION (ABBAS AMANAT)
• SELF AGGRANDISING PROJECTS PUSHED BY THE SHAH HAD NEARLY BANKRUPTED ECONOMY,
RADICALISING YOUNG IRANIANS.
• SHAH USED SAVAK TO QUELL DISSENT, IN BRUTAL CRACKDOWN.
• 1962 PRES. KENNEDY ESTABLISHED BACKING FOR A “WHITE REVOLUTION” IN IRAN

WHITE REVOLUTION (NO.3:1963
ENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN.

WHITE REVOLUTION (1).
THE 6-PART PLAN
1. LAND REFORM
2. SALE OF STATE-OWNED BUSINESSES TO
FINANCE LAND REFORM
3. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN
4. NATIONALISATION OF THE FORESTS &
PASTURES
5. FORMATION OF LITERACY CORPS
6. IMPLEMENTATION OF PROFIT SHARING PLANS
FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS

WHITE REVOLUTION (2)
• MOST OF IRANIAN COMMUNIST PARTY (TUDEH) HAD DIED IN SAVAK JAILS
• MASSIVE US INVESTMENT IN MILITARY ASSETS MADE IN USA SUPPORTED NEW ARMY OF
400,000.
• IRANIAN ECONOMY AT “TAKE-OFF”& WELL INTO TECHNICAL MATURITY STAGE
• NEARLY HALF POPULATION LIVED IN BIG CITIES, PEASANTS COULD EARN REASONABLE WAGES
• NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION INCREASED FROM 75,000 TO 300,000 (MANY
WERE WOMEN)
• PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS FLOURISHED
• BUT PUSHBACK CAME FROM LANDOWNERS, TRIBAL KHANS (WHO WORRIED ABOUT LAND
REFORMS) & CLERGY , WHO WERE INCENSED ABOUT EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN.
• SHAH’S CLERICAL MENTOR, AYATOLLAH SAYED HOSAIN BORUJEDI, DIED
• LEADERSHIP OF SHI’I IN IRAN PASSED TO THE RADICAL AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI. HE
PREACHED IN IRAN & IN NAJAF A SHI’I STRONGHOLD IN IRAQ
• HE OVERSTEPPED THE MARK IN VITRIOLIC SERMONS AGAINST U.S. INFLUENCE IN IRAN & EXILED
– TO REMAIN SO FOR 13 YEARS, PREPARING FOR HIS REVOLUTION.

THE YOUNG KHOMEINI AS A RADICAL
IMAM IN THE HOLY CITY OF QOM

A REQUIEM FOR MOHAMMAD REZA
SHAH, LIGHT OF THE ARYANS, GREAT
LORD, KING OF KINGS.
“ AND SO IT WAS TO BE. KHOMEINI MOVED HIS EXILE FROM TURKEY
TO THE SHIA HOLY CITY OF NAJAF IN SADDAM HUSSEIN’S IRAQ,
WHERE HE BECAME OUTSPOKEN IN HIS SUPPORT OF THE
PALESTINIANS. ON CLANDESTINE TAPES, HIS SERMONS WERE
NOW CIRCULATED ACROSS IRAN…WHEN THE SHAH WAS UNABLE
TO STANCH THE CASSETTE SERMONS, SADDAM WAS ENJOINED TO
DEPORT KHOMEINI. THIS TIME HE SETTLED IN NEUPHLE – LE –
CHATEAU OUTSIDE PARIS, WHERE HE WAS ASSURED OF THE
CONSTANT, ALMOST FAWNING ADMIRATION OF THE
INTERNATIONAL PRESS, AN INSTITUTION FOR WHICH HE WAS
LATER TO SHOW CONTEMPT…YET THEY SENSED THE MYTHIC
ELEMENT IN THEIR REVOLUTION EVEN BEFORE THE KING OF
KINGS PILOTED HIS PERSONAL BOEING AIRLINER OUT OF
MEHRABAD AIRPORT FOR THE LAST TIME ON 16 JANUARY, 1979.
(ROBERT FISK. “THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION”)

1. INTERNET READING
WIKIPEDIA: Reza Shah
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Anglo Soviet Invasion of Iran
National Iranian Oil Company
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: All the Shah’s Men:An
American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror
2. BOOKS
(AVAILABLE THROUGH EPPING LIBRARY)
Abbas Milani: “The Shah”
Andrew Scott Cooper: “The fall of heaven: the Pahlavis and
the final days of imperial Iran”

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VIEWING
3. VIDEOS
BBC. DOCUMENTARY: “THE LAST SHAH OF IRAN” 1
HOUR & 54 MINUTES.
THEATRICAL FEATURE DOCUMENTARY ON OPERATION
AJAX: “COUP 53” 118 MINUTES
4. MOVIE
“WHOOPS APOCALYPSE” 180 MINUTES
MONTY PYTHON SCRIPTWRITERS.
(Watch for Barry Morse as President Johnny Cyclops;
John Cleese as Lacrobat; and Alexei Sayle as
Commissar Solzhenitsyn)

LECTURE 7: WHY CONFLICT BETWEEN
U.S. & IRAN?
“ NUMEROUS BOOKS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY WESTERN
EXPERTS, MAINLY AMERICAN, LOOKING AT THE ROOT
CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN IRAN AND THE
U.S. HOWEVER, NONE OF THEM HAS PRESENTED AN
IMMEDIATE LOOK AT THE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP
FROM WITHIN IRANIAN CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND,
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE IRANIAN POLICYMAKING
SYSTEM… ‘WE DON’T REALLY HAVE PEOPLE WHO
KNOW IRAN INSIDE OUR OWN SYSTEM… SO THAT’S A
PROBLEM FOR US ( CONDOLEEZA RICE).”
( SAYED HOSSEIN & SHAHIR SHAHIDSALESS. ‘IRAN & THE
UNITED STATES’)

FEB. 1 1979. A SHAKY 78 YEAR OLD
KHOMEINI RETURNS TO IRAN

“FIRST CONTACT”: KHOMEINI & THE
PEOPLE OF IRAN. 1 FEB. 1979
• 5 TO 10 MILLION IRANIAN MEN & BOYS GREETED HIS
MOTORCADE ON ITS WAY TO THE CEMETRY WHERE HE
GAVE HIS FIRST SERMON.
• “AMID THE EUPHORIA & SHOUTS OF ‘GOD IS GREAT’,
KHOMEINI WAS UNRUFFLED, HIS FACE UNMOVED. HE
WOULD OCCASIONALLY STROKE HIS SILVERY BEARD &
RAISE HIS HAND IN GREETING. ASKED LATER BY A US
JOURNALIST HOW HE FELT ABOUT HIS RETURN, HE
REPLIED:
‘HICHI’ (NOTHING)…. LISTLESS & STONE-FACED, HE GAZED AT
THE WELCOMING CROWDS, AWKWARDLY WAVING HIS
HAND FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.”
(ROBERT FISK. “THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION”)

THE DRAFT ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF
IRAN CONSTITUTION IN KHOMEINI’S
“BACK POCKET”• SAID TO BE BASED ON 1958 CONSTITUTION OF FRANCE (WHERE HE WAS
IN EXILE).
• THESE ARE SAID TO BE EMBEDDED IN 6 “FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES” OF
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC (BUT THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL TRAVESTY ):
1. SYSTEM BASED ON THE BELIEF IN THE ONE-ALLAH.
2. HIS EXCLUSIVE SOVEREIGNTY & NECESSITY OF SUBMISSION (&
LEGISLATION) TO HIS COMMANDS.
3 - 5. SPELL OUT NATURE OF ALLAH & HIS RELATIONSHIP TO IRAN’S
GOVERNANCE.
6. “ THE EXALTED DIGNITY & VALUE OF MAN & HIS FREEDOM COUPLED
WITH RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE ALLAH ETC.”
(LECTURER’S NOTE; THE FRENCH CONSTITUTION SPELLS OUT THE EQUALITY
OF MEN & WOMEN. WOMEN ARE NOT MENTIONED IN THE IRANIAN
CONSTITUTION & HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHTS UNDER THIS
CONSTITUTION,AND THERE ARE NO WRITTEN CONVENTIONS THAT
HAVE ESTABLISHED ANY RIGHTS AS YET )

PROTEST ABOUT FATE OF WOMEN IN
EVIN PRISON’S “WOMEN’S WARD”
(SEE INSET PICTURE)

EVIN PRISON WOMEN’S WARD
(LOOK CLOSELY AT THE DETAILS)

UNIQUE EVENT IN HUMAN HISTORY:
A MODERN STATE GOVERNED BY SHI’I
INTERPRETATION OF THE KORAN
“ ONCE THE HISTORIC DECISION TO TAKE OVER THE
STATE & IMPLEMENT THEOCRACY WITHIN ITS
LEGAL FRAMEWORK WAS TAKEN BY KHOMEINI
& HIS MILITANT CLERICS, IT WAS NO LONGER
POSSIBLE TO RECREATE THE RELIGIOUS COURT
ALONGSIDE CIVIL COURTS. THE ENTIRE
MODERNISED JUDICIARY HAD TO BE TAKEN
OVER & ISLAMICIZED. THE COMMITMENT TO DO
SO WAS DECLARED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF
1979.” ( SAID AMIR ARJOMAND)

THE LAW OF PUNISHMENTS & TALION
OF OCTOBER 1982
1. “REVIVES & CODIFIES THE ATAVISTIC PENAL
PROVISIONS OF THE SACRED LAW.” (WHICH
HAD GENERALLY BEEN DISREGARDED BY LAWS
LAID DOWN BY PREVIOUS KINGS, & OTHER
RULERS).
2. “ PENALTIES SUCH AS AMPUTATION OF LIMBS,
STONING & CRUCIFICTION ARE REINTRODUCED
& SPECIFIED IN GRUESOME DETAIL.”
3. “…PUNISHMENTS, INCLUDING DEATH, ARE
DECREED FOR ADULTERY, HOMOSEXUALITY &
OTHER SEXUAL OFFENCES.”

THE PUNISHMENT OF STONING
UNDER QANUM-E HUDUD VA QESAS

ARTICLES 198-200 OF PENAL CODE
DEFINES ARMED OPPONENTS OF
‘ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT’-DISSIDENTS
• ALLUDING TO KORAN (9:108 & 2:10;57) ARTICLE
201 STATES: “…THE PROOF OF FIGHTING GOD &
SPREADING CORRUPTION ON EARTH CAN BE
ESTABLISHED BY CONFESSION, ONCE, OR BY THE
TESTIMONY OF ONLY 2 MEN” (THE INQUISITION
USED THIS METHOD TO ESTABLISH ‘HERESY’)
• PENALTIES FOR THIS CRIME: EXECUTION BY
HANGING, CUTTING OFF RIGHT HAND & LEFT
FOOT, EXILE & CRUCIFICTION.

THE HANGING OF DISSIDENTS IN IRAN

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACT OF LAW OF
PUNISHMENTS & TALION (1)
• 5300 SAVAK STAFF WERE EXECUTED BY FIRING
SQUAD & THE REST RE-EMPLOYED BY THE NEW
GOVERNMENT.
• THERE ARE 28 PRISONS, THE BIGGEST IS ‘EVIN’,
HOLDING 15,000, MANY HOUSING ‘POLITICALS’
WHERE CONFESSIONS MUST BE EXTRACTED.
THETORTURER’S SPECIALTY IS THE “WHITE CELL”
• IN 1988 AN AILING KHOMEINI ORDERED THE
EXECUTION OF 30,000 PRISONERS LEFT OVER
FROM THE SHAH’S REGIME, TO CLEAR THE
PRISON SYSTEM.

EVIN CELL 24 (‘WHITE CELL’) “A HELL
OF DELUSIVE THOUGHTS” (HASTI
IRANI)

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACTS OF LAW OF
• FLOGGINGS, AMPUTATIONS & BLINDING
REMAINED A CARRYOVER FROM SAVAK DAYS.
• KHOMEINI DIED IN 1989. COUNCIL OF
GUARDIANS (SUPREME JUDICIARY COUNCIL)
RATIFIED AMENDMENTS TO LAW OF
PUNISHMENTS &TALION – A NEW PENAL CODE
CONTAININING 737 ARTICLES & 204 NOTES,
SUPPOSEDLY WITHIN IRAN’S ‘CONSTITUTION’.

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACTS OF LAW OF
1. DEATH PENALTY REMOVED FOR BOYS & GIRLS UNDER 18 BUT…
“EXPLICITLY PEGS AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY TO AGE OF
MATURITY OR PUBERTY UNDER SHARI’A LAW: 14 YEARS/7
MONTHS ( LUNAR) BOYS; 8 YEARS/9 MONTHS (LUNAR) FOR
GIRLS.
2. CRIMINALISATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF ACTIVITIES ACCEPTABLE
IN THE WEST: SEX OUTSIDE MARRIAGE; HOMOSEXUAL SEX;
DRUGS; INSULTING THE PROPHET, FATIMA, OR THE 12 IMAMS
OF SHI’ISM. DEATH PENALTY APPLIES.
3. JUDGES ARE ALLOWED TO RELY ON THEIR “KNOWLEDGE” IN
THEIR JUDGMENTS
4. SINCE 2010, 36 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXECUTED FOR “SOWING
CORRUPTION ON EARTH” & “ENMITY AGAINST GOD”
5. IRAN HAS A PRISON POPULATION OF 250,000 IN 28 PRISONS.

IRAN – IRAQ WAR (1980 -1988)
LECTURE 8 WILL GIVE DETAILS

KHOMEINI’S RATIONALE FOR
CONTINUING THE WAR FOR 8 YEARS
“ BY GOD. IF IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF CONCERNS FOR ALL OUR CREDIBILITY, HONOR &
EXPEDIENCY FOR THE CAUSE OF ISLAM & THE MUSLIMS, I WOULD HAVE NEVER
CONDONED THIS ACT SINCE DEATH & MARTYRDOM ARE SWEETER TO ME. BUT WHAT
ALTERNATIVE DO WE HAVE BUT TO ABIDE BY IT…IN THE FUTURESOME INDIVIDUALS MAY
INTENTIONALLY RAISE DOUBT AS TO THE FRUIT OF ALL THE BLOOD & SACRIFICE. THEY
OBVIOUSLY ARE UNAWARE OF THE INVISIBLE WORLDS (OF THE HEREAFTER) & OF THE
PHILOSOPHY OF MARTYRDOM…BEYOND DOUBT THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS IS
INSURANCE FOR THE REVOLUTION & ISLAM…BLESSED YOU THE NATION! BLESSED YOU
MEN & WOMEN! BLESSED YOU THE MARTYRS & THE CAPTIVES, THOSE WHO ARE LOST IN
ACTION, & FAMILIES OF THE GLORIOUS MARTYRS! AND WOE ON ME FOR BEING STILL
ALIVE DRINKING THE POISONOUS CHALICE OF THIS RESOLUTION. I FEEL HUMBLED BEFORE
ALL THE SACRIFICE & GLORY OF THIS GREAT NATION.”
(ABBAS AMANT. “IRAN. A MODERN HISTORY”)

THE WAR SHAPED POST-
REVOLUTIONARY IRAN
“ WAR, IN EFFECT, VASTLY HELPED THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
CONSOLIDATE ITS MILITARY PROPAGANDA, & POLICING
APPARATUS, CLOSED CONSTITUTIONAL LOOPHOLES, & INCREASED
IDEOLOGICAL & ECONOMIC CONTROL OVER SOCIETY. IN THIS
RESPECT , ALTHOUGH THE WAR WAS A NET DEFEAT WITH HUGE
CASUALTIES, MATERIAL RUINATION, & TEMPORARY TERRITORIAL
LOSS, IT WAS A ‘BLESSING’ IN DISGUISE, AS WAS REPEATEDLY
ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE REGIME’S CLERICAL LEADERSHIP.
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT THE REGIME CLAIMED AS ITS POPULAR
MANDATE, THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WAR & MEMORIES OF
SACRIFICE, LIFE IN THE TRENCHES, BOMBING OF THE CITIES,
RATIONING & ECONOMIC HARDSHIP WERE ALL INGREDIENTS FOR
A TRIAL BY FIRE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO SHAPING
POSTREVOLUTIONARY IRAN.”
(ABBAS AMANAT. “IRAN. MODERN HISTORY”)

IRAN. NATIONAL ARMY DAY OUTSIDE
KHOMEINI’S MAUSOLEUM

IRAN & ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
UNITED STATES
“ THE US RECORD OF SUPPORT FOR SADDAM’S WAR EFFORTS, HOWEVER, WAS FAR
MORE PROBLEMATIC. IT WAS PROBABLY AMONG THE MOST APPALLING IN THE
HISTORY OF AMERICAN AID TO VILLAINOUS DICTATORS. WHILE THE HOSTAGE
CRISIS WAS STILL GOING ON, THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION HINTED AT
THAWING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH IRAQ, A REVERSAL OF A POLICY THAT
FOR YEARS HAD TREATED THE BA’ATHISTS AS PARIAHS. AT THE OUTSET THIS
SEEMED A PLAUSIBLE COURSE TO COUNTERBALANCE IRANIAN SUCCESS WHILE
RETURNING IRAN’S ANTI-AMERICANISM IN KIND. YET U.S. SUPPORT FOR THE
BA’ATHISTS DID NOT STOP AT THE LEVEL OF DIPLOMACY. THOUGH THE REAGAN
ADMINISTRATION HAD DECLARED NEUTRALITY IN THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR, SOON
IT RELAPSED INTO A PROACTIVE COURSE, ESPECIALLY AFTER 1984, WHEN THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT BEGAN TO VIEW IRAN’S ADVANCES DETRIMENTAL TO
AMERICAN INTERESTS IN THE REGION. U.S. ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ RANGED FROM
THE DIRECT & INDIRECT SALE OF WEAPONS & EXPORT OF RAW MATERIALS FOR
MANUFACTURING CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS TO EXTENSIVE SHARING
OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. CIA & PENTAGON OPERATIONAL SUPPORT ON THE
BATTLEFIELD , TRAINING OF IRAQI MILITARY PERSONNEL, & VAST SUMS OF
CREDIT FOR IRAQI MILITARY PERSONNEL & VAST SUMS OF CREDIT FOR IRAQI
PURCHASE OF WEAPONS , AGRICULTURAL NEEDS & OTHER NECESSITIES, AS WELL
AS TACIT OR EXPLICIT BACKING FOR IRAQ IN THE UNITED NATIONS.” (AMANAT)

IRAQI NERVE-AGENT ROCKETS USED
IN IRAN-IRAQ WAR (MATERIALS
FROM U.K.,GERMANY &U.S.)

1979: A DYING SHAH SEEKS
KISSINGER’S HELP FOR A VISA FOR
HOSPITAL CANCER TREATMENT

NOVEMBER 1979: HARDLINE IRANIAN
STUDENTS (“FOLLOWING THE LINE OF
THE IMAM”) CLAIM “CONSPIRACY”• 4 NOV. 1979: 50 STUDENTS (+400 IN RESERVE) ENTER U.S.
EMBASSY, TEHRAN.
• MARINE GUARDS SHOOT TEAR GAS & IT GOES THROUGH
BUILDING.
• STUDENTS TRASH ROOMS AS THEY GO ON.
• GET TO DOCUMENT SHREDDERS, PICK UP SHREDDED BITS
& GIVE TO EXPERTS FOR RECONSTRUCTION & ANALYSIS.
• 1.30 PM: EMBASSY IN STUDENTS’ HANDS
• KHOMEINI SPEAKS: U.S. IS A ‘DEN OF SATAN’ & EMBASSY
‘DEN OF ESPIONAGE’.
• THE MODERATE POLITICIANS IN THE MAJLIS
(PARLIAMENT) WERE SACKED & THE KHOMEINISTS WERE
NOW IN CHARGE.

THE STORMING OF THE U.S. EMBASSY
10:30 AM 4 NOVEMBER 1979

A CLOSE LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES
OF THE HOSTAGE CRISIS EVENT
“ THIS INCIDENT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF PROTRACTED HOSTILITY BETWEEN IRAN
& THE US. THE COMBINATION OF PERCEPTIONS & MISPERCEPTIONS OF THE
INFLUENTIAL ACTORS WITHIN THE TWO STATES, MISANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION
IN IRAN BY THE AMERICAN POLICYMAKERS & EXPERTS, & OF PERCEIVED
BETRAYALS HAVE RESULTED IN PROFOUND MUTUAL MISTRUST & HAVE BEEN
LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF ALL INITIATIVES AIMED AT DÉTENTE
& PEACE BETWEEN IRAN & THE US….THE 444-DAY IRANIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS
HUMILIATED AMERICA IN THE EYES OF ITS OWN PEOPLE & OF THOSE AROUND
THE WORLD & CREATED A CERTAIN PERCEPTION OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT
IN THE AMERICAN POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT THAT HAS CONTINUED TO THIS
DAY. AS SICK EXPLAINS ( GARY SICK. ‘ALL FALL DOWN: AMERICA’S FATEFUL
ENCOUNTER WITH IRAN’). THE UNDERLYING BELIEF (WAS) THAT WE WERE
DEALING NOT ONLY WITH A GOVERNMENT THAT HAD FLOUTED THE LAWS OF
NATIONS… BUT WITH A REGIME THAT WAS HISTORICALLY ILLEGITIMATE, UNFIT ,
DESPICABLE.”
( SAYYED HOSSEIN MOUSAVIAN. WITH SHAHIR SHAHIDSALESS. ‘IRAN AND THE
UNITED STATES’)

ALGIERS ACCORDS 1981.
AGREEMENTS RESOLVED HOSTAGE
CRISIS (52 HOSTAGES FREED)

11 JUNE 1989. 2 MILLION MOURNERS
SOUVENIRING PIECES OF
KHOMEINI’S KAFAN (DEATH SHROUD)

KHOMEINI’S LEGACY
“ KHOMEINI’S MOST TANGIBLE & ENDURING CONTRIBUTION
HOWEVER, WAS HIS SUCCESS AT PUTTING INTO PRACTICE
THE LONG-SPECULATED – ON IDEA OF POLITICAL ISLAM.
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC THAT HE HELPED FOUND WAS THE
FIRST TO EMERGE OUT OF THE IDEOLOGICAL
REVOLUTION, SOMETHING THAT PERHAPS COULD
EMERGE ONLY IN SHI’I IRAN. YET AS A MILITANT &
REVOLUTIONARY PROMOTING THE PARADIGM OF AN
ISLAMIC STATE , KHOMEINI’S INFLUENCE HAS BEEN WELL
EVIDENT THROUGHOUT THE MUSLIM WORLD SINCE THE
1980s. IN THAT REGARD AT LEAST, IN MODERN TIMES, NO
OTHER MUSLIM LEADER, ACTIVIST, OR REVOLUTIONARY
CAN MATCH HIS RECORD.”
( ABBAS AMANAT. “ IRAN. A MODERN HISTORY”)

1. INTERNET READING
WIKIPEDIA: Constitution of the Islamic
Republic of Iran.
Constitution of France.
Ruhollah Khomeini.
Evin Prison.
THE NEW YORK TIMES (28/8/2009): Iranians
Say Prison Rape Is Not New.

2. BOOKS
AVAILABLE FROM PARRAMATTA LIBRARY
Michael Axworthy. Revolutionary Iran: a history
of the Islamic Republic
Hooman Majd. The Ayatollah’s democracy: an
Iranian challenge.
Charles River Editors. The Iranian Revolution:
The Islamic Revolution that Reshaped the
Middle East. Audiobook (Amazon). Free with
30 trial. Non-member $9.68.

3. VIDEOS
The 1979 Iranian Revolution. Panel discussion
by Council of Foreign Relations (1 hour)
Ruhullah: Parts 1 of 4 downloadable (Out of
10) 1 hour 48 minutes.

4. MOVIES
(I COULD FIND NOTHING FUNNY IN
THIS LECTURE BUT I THOUGHT THAT
ANOTHER MONTY PYTHON VIEW OF
THE MEDIEVALASPECTS OF
RELIGION MIGHT LIFT OUR SPIRITS
.02.)
MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL
AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET
1 HOUR & 22 MINUTES

LECTURE 9. IRAN: THE ISLAMIC
REVOLUTION (2)

QUO VADEM IRAN?
WHAT SEEMS TO BE EMERGING IS A FEELING – IN THE EDUCATED
MIDDLE CLASSES OF IRAN – EVEN DURING THE DEVASTATION
BEING WROUGHT BY COVID-19 – A PREMONITION, THAT IRAN IS
ON THE THRESHHOLD OF A MAJOR LURCH TO THE POLITICAL
RIGHT WING, SUPPORTED BY A STRONG, CONFIDENT & MILITANT
MILITARY CLASS THAT HAS INFILTRATED ALL STRATA OF POLITICAL
& ECONOMIC LIFE. THE IDEOLOGICAL GLUE REMAINS THAT OF THE
IDEAS OF THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION OF 1979 – WHETHER THE
NEW LEADERS OF THE NATION BELIEVE IN THEM OR NOT. TWO
STEPS IN THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS FINAL GOVERNMENT IN
2020: STEP1 WAS FEBRUARY 2020. STEP 2 WILL BE SEPTEMBER
2020 & THE EMERGENCE OF A “STRONGMAN” LEADER (PROBABLY
MILITARY BACKGROUND) TO TAKE THE NATION INTO ITS NEXT
PHASE – WHICH WILL CERTAINLY INVOLVE CLEANING UP THE
MESS LEFT BEHIND BY COVID – 19.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE
CHARISMATIC – BUT ASSASSINATED -
GENERAL QASEM SOLIEMANI

IT COULD BE FORMER 8-YEAR,
INCOMPETENT PRESIDENT
MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

AHMEDINEJAD’ s RECORD
• THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF IRAN IS THE SECOND MOST POWERFUL POSITION
IN THE COUNTRY, AFTER THE SUPREME LEADER. IN 2009 AHMEDINEJAD HAD
SERVED 4 YEARS, IN WHICH HIS PRESIDENCY HAD BECOME A BY-WORD FOR
INCOMPETENCE & CORRUPTION & THE HARSH PENAL CODE OF THE AYATOLLAHS.
• THE AYATOLLAHS HAD FOUND A NEW RISING STAR IN MIR-HOSSEIN MOUSAVI
KHAMENEH, FIRST AS PRIME MINISTER, 1981 – 1989. HE WAS A REFORMIST,
ARTIST & ARCHITECT & THE LAST IN POWER TO HOLD BACK THE EXTREMIST
CONSERVATIVES, WHO THEN BACKED AHMEDINEJAD.
• THESE INDIVIDUALS STACKED THE BALLOTS FOR THE 2009 ELECTION OF
PRESIDENT & AHMEDINEJAD WON A SECOND TERM WITH TWO-THIRDS OF THE
VOTES.
• MOUSAVI SUPPORTERS TOOK TO THE BARRICADES IN TEHRAN ON 14 JUNE 2009.
• 15 JUNE. 3 MILLION PEOPLE HIT THE STREETS & SHOTS WERE FIRED.
• 16 JUNE. AHMEDINEJAD PUT HIS OWN THUGS IN THE STREET. SHOTS WERE
FIRED. 32 PEOPLE DIED, MOSTLY FROM BULLET WOUNDS
• MAYOR MOHAMMAD BAGHER GHALIBAF ORDERED 170 ARRESTS OF
PROTESTORS. THEY WERE SEVERELY INTERROGATED FOR ALLEGED LINKS TO
“FOREIGN POWERS”

MOHAMMAD BAGHER GHALIBAF:
THE MAN MOST LIKELY.
• 59 YEARS OLD VETERAN OF IRAN-IRAQ WAR WHERE HE ROSE TO BECOME COMMANDER
LOGISTICS, ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS
• 2003 BECAME MAYOR TEHRAN ON STRONG IDEOLOGICAL PLATFORM (EG: SEPARATE LIFTS FOR
MEN & WOMEN) UNRAVELLED PREVIOUS REFORMIST GOVERNMENT
• DOCTORATE IN “POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY” (GEOPOLITICS) AT PRESTIGIOUS TARBIAT MODARES
UNIVERSITY (THE WEST SHOULD READ HIS THESIS)
• CERTIFIED TO FLY AIRBUS AIRCRAFT
• AS MAYOR 9 JULY 1999, TEHRAN STOOD BY TO ALLOW 400 PARAMILTARIES (ANSAR-E-
HEZBOLLAH & BASIJ) TO RAID TEHRAN STUDENTS IN DORMITORIES: ‘SOME’ DEATHS, 300
INJURED, THOUSANDS ‘ARRESTED’*
• 9-14 JULY 1999 TEHRAN WAS A BATTLEFIELD: 17 KILLED & HUNDREDS ARRESTED. FIGHTING
SPREAD TO TABRIZ, MASHHAD, SHIRAZ & ISFAHAN.
• WHEN STUDENTS TRIED TO STORM INFAMOUS MINISTRY OF INTERIOR ON 13 JULY 1999
PRESIDENT KHATAMI UNLEASHED HIS OWN THUGS- UNDER THE BANNER OF “ ORGANISATION
FOR ISLAMIC PROPAGATION” (MOSTLY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES)
• BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE YOUNG PROTESTORS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WERE TREATED WITH
EXEMPLARY HARSHNESS. THE QUESTION REMAINS AS TO THE COMPLICITY OF MAYOR
GHALIBAF.
* Note: In 2010 an overseas student in Iran saw Basij working over detained 2009 students by:
disembowelling, burned to death and run over by a riot control heavy vehicle.

THE CASE OF AHMAD BATEBI,
STUDENT AT TEHRAN UNIVERSITY,
ARRESTED IN JUNE 1999

AHMED BATEBI (CONT.). HIS LETTER
CIRCULATED IN UNIVERSITY
• (IN THE UNIVERSITY, UNDER ARREST). “…THEY CONFISCATED ALL MY
DOCUMENTS & POSSESSIONS . WHILE TAUNTING ME WITH INSULTS ,
THEY BEAT ME IN MY TESTICLES, MY LEGS, & MY ABDOMINAL AREA.”
• (IN PRISON) “…THEY THREW ME ON THE FLOOR, STOOD ON MY NECK &
CUT OFF ALL MY HAIR, BUT ALL PARTS OF MY SCALP…THEY THREATENED
TO …TORTURE & RAPE MY FAMILY MEMBERS.”
• “ …HIS INTERROGATORS WRAPPED A NOOSE AROUND HIS NECK WHILE
HE SAT IN A CHAIR FOR TWO HOURS. EVENTUALLY HE BROKE DOWN &
SIGNED A CONFESSION.”
• BATEBI WAS GIVEN THE DEATH SENTENCE. THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM
WERE ‘CREATING A STREET UNREST’ & ‘AGITATING PEOPLE TO CREATE
UNREST’
• IN JUNE 2008 THE UNITED STATES GRANTED HIM ASYLUM STATUS,
WHERE HE REMAINS ACTIVE IN PURSUING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR
IRANIANS.

EVIN PRISON: THE WORST OF 28
PRISONS HOUSING 250,000 PEOPLE.
NOTE: THESE ARE WOMEN IN PHOTO

YOUNG IRANIANS PUSHING BACK
AGAINST INHERENT SOCIAL ILLS &
FAILED SOCIAL POLICIES (1)
SOURCE: HISTORIAN ABBAS AMANAT
SOCIAL ILLS RAMPANT SINCE 1999
• DRUG ADDICTION
• ORGANISED PROSTITUTION
• ABUSED & ABANDONED CHILDREN
• TEENAGERS ESCAPING HOME
• BATTERED WOMEN.
• MURDERED SPOUSES

YOUNG IRANIANS PUSHBACK (2)
DRUG ADDICTION IN URBAN MIDDLE
CLASSES, PARTICULARLY
• OPIUM SMOKING AS A RECREATION REVIVED
• HEROIN ADDICTION AMONG THE YOUNG, NEW
PROBLEM “…EMBLEMATIC OF THE FAILURE OF THER
REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT TO FULFIL ITS
DECLARED MISSION TO ERADICATE ‘MORAL
TURPITUDE’ THROUGH ISLAMIC CHASTITY &
CHANGES IN THE DECADENT LIFE-STYLES OF THE
PAHLAVI ERA.”
• GOVERNMENT CREATED GASHT-E SAR – ALLAH
(PATROLS OF GOD’S VENGEANCE) TO POLICE
ADDICTS.
• 3400 IRANIANS EXECUTED FOR DRUG OFFENCES 2010
– 2018, INCLUDING MINORS.

IRANIAN REVOLUTION’S ATTITUDE TO
WOMEN
• IN LARGER IRANIAN CITIES THE PATROLS OF GOD’S VENGEANCE TERRORISED
WOMEN FOR A LONG LIST OF TRANSGRESSIONS EG: LENGTH OF FINGERNAILS,
HEIGHT OF HEELS, SHADES OF HAIR HIGHLIGHTS.
• A FETISHIST APPROACH TO WOMEN: OBSESSION WITH WOMEN’S BODIES: “ SHI’I
JURISPRUDENCE VIEWED THE VAGINA (RAHEM) AS THE PRIMAL UNIT FOR
KINSHIP & FAMILY LOYALTIES AND LEGAL RIGHTS, & HENCEFORTH DEMANDED
FROM THE MALE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY & CLAN THAT THEY SAFEGUARD IT.
THE AYATOLLAHS DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS IN THEIR BOOKS OF ‘EXPLICATION OF
PROBLEMS’, A DISSERTATION – LIKE REQUIREMENT FOR ACQUIRING MARJA ‘ IYAT
IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, IN PART SPELLED INTRICATE RULES CONDUCIVE TO
SUCH A DEFENCE….BOOKS OF EXPLICATION OFFERED METICULOUS
INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS, VIRGINITY,
MENSTRUAL CYCLES, RULES OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, MANNERS OF MALE
PENETRATION, EJACULATION & THE HANDLING OF BODILY FLUIDS.” (ABBAS
AMANAT)
• “ BEYOND ENFORCING A SHARI’A – PRESCRIBED BODILY CODE, THE ESSENTIALLY
MISOGYNISTIC CLERICAL CULTURE OF QOM EMBARKED ON A SYSTEMATIC
REWRITING OF WOMEN’S CIVIL & LEGAL RIGHTS IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. IT
REVERSED MANY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAHLAVI ERA. “

INSTITUTIONS OF THE ISLAMIC
REVOLUTION: MINISTRY OF
INTELLIGENCE (MOIS)

IRAN’S MOIS CONTD.
• USES ALL MEANS AT ITS DISPOSAL TO PROTECT THE REVOLUTION:
INFILTRATING INTERNAL OPPOSITION; MONITORING DOMESTIC
THREATS & EXPATRIATE DISSENT; ARRESTING ALLEGED SPIES &
DISSIDENTS; EXPOSING CONSPIRACIES; MAINTAIN LIAISON WITH
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES THAT PROTECT IRAN’S
INTERESTS.
• CONTAINS A MIX OF IDEOLOGIES EVEN THOUGH WORKING
WITHIN “SUPREME LEADER’S GUIDELINES”
• OVERSEES ALL COVERT OPERATIONS BY QUDS FORCE & ISLAMIC
REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS & INITIATES ITS OWN
OPERATIONS
• U.S. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS REPORT CONSIDERS MOIS GENERALLY
EFFECTIVE BUT OTHER COUNTRIES SUCCEED IN INFILTRATING THE
ORGANISATION SOMETIMES.

THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION OF IRAN
DEVASTATED MUCH OF THE SHAH’S
ARMY
• EVERY GENERAL WAS RETIRED
• 300 OF THE SENIOR OFFICERS LEFT THE COUNTRY
• CONSCRIPTION WAS LOWERED FROM TWO YEARS TO ONE YEAR.
• LEADERS OF THE REVOLUTION DESPERATELY TRIED TO REBUILD
ARMY TO 280,000, EXPECTING A U.S. INVASION.
• BY 1980, BATTLES IN KURDESTAN HAD TESTED ALL UNITS BUT THE
NEW ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS WERE ALL NEW BUT
ENTHUSIASTIC
• HALF THEIR TANKS WERE IN NEED OF SPARE PARTS.
• BUT THEIR NEW COMMANDER WAS GENERAL HUSSAIN SHAKER
WHO HAD BEEN TRAINED IN FORT LEAVENWORTH, U.S.A.
• AIR FORCE RELIED ON U.S. F-14 PHANTOMS BUT THEIR RADAR
SYSTEMSS DID NOT WORK.

THE SHAH HAD GREAT HOPES FOR
IRAN’S ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE

THE PRESENT ORGANISATION OF
IRAN’S ARMED SERVICES COMMAND
• THE SUPREME LEADER IS COMMANDER-IN-
CHIEF, CONSTITUTIONALLY.
• ARTESH: ADMINISTRATIVE & COMMAND
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ARMY, AIR FORCE &
NAVY.
• THE GENERAL STAFFS OF THE ARMED
SERVICES
• ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS.

ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS
CORPS (ARMY OF THE GUARDIANS
OF THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION)

ISLAMIC REVOLUTTIONARY GUARDS
CORPS (IRGC) (1)
• IRGC HAS 250,000 PERSONNEL DISTRIBUTED IN 5 ARMS: QUDS
FORCE; AIR FORCE; GROUND FORCE; NAVY; BASIJ
• “ THE SYMBIOSIS OF THE MULLAHS & REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS
ALSO WORKED WELL IN THE COURSE OF THE WAR WITH IRAQ,
WHEREBY THE LATTER SERVED AS A PARALLEL FORCE ON TOP OF
THE REGULAR ARMY, HOWEVER UNPROFESSIONALLY. IN RETURN,
A VAST TREASURE TROVE OF NATIONALISED INDUSTRIES &
CONFISCATED LAND & PROPERTIES OF THE PAHLAVI STATE & ITS
ELITE SOON CAME UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
GUARDS. THE CONGLOMERATES OF AGRICULTURAL ESTATES &
OTHER ECONOMIC RESOURCES KEPT THEM CONTENT & IN
COMPORTMENT WITH THE WISHES OF THE GOVERNMENT . EVEN
AFTER THE WAR, THE GUARDS SERVED AS THE SINGLE MOST
EFFECTIVE GUARANTOR OF THE REGIME’S SURVIVAL.”
(ABBAS AMANAT)

SADRA IRAN: SHIPBUILDING &
TANKER FLEET CONTROLLED BY IRGC.

THE RISE OF THE REPUBLIICAN
GUARDS’ FINANCIAL EMPIRE

THE NATURE OF THE IRANIAN STATE
• “ ONCE A THEOCRATIC STATE, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC HAS
EVOLVED INTO A ‘GARRISON STATE’ , TO USE AN
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE TERM, IN WHICH THE
MILITARY DOMINATES POLITICAL, ECONOMIC & CULTURAL
LIFE, & PRESERVES THE REGIME FROM DOMESTIC RATHER
THAN EXTERNAL OPPONENTS”
• THE IRGC INFLUENCES, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ABOUT
65% OF IRAN’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT – A
STAGGERING $315 BILLION. IN ANOTHER WAR OF
ATTRITION LIKE THE IRAN-IRAQ WAY IT WOULD MOBILISE
THIS WEALTH.
• INSTEAD IT HAS USED ITS SUBSIDIARY ORGANISATIONS TO
WAGE LIMITED WAR TO ACHIEVE LIMITED BUT
IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

QUDS FORCE
• AN ELITE SPECIAL OPERATIONS MILITARY UNIT
THAT OPERATES IN 27 COUNTRIES.
• IT ALSO RECEIVES INDEPENDENT FUNDING
FROM CHINA’S PEOPLES LIBERATION ARMY
THROUGH THEIR BANK, FOR CONTRACT
OPERATIONS.
• A BRILLIANT & CHARISMATIC COMMANDER,
QASEM SOLIEMENI, BUILT IT UP FROM SCRATCH,
USING STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY.

ISREALI IDF AIRSTRIKE 19 NOV. 2019
(WHOSE CAR WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE
PARKING LOT AT THAT TIME?)

BASIJ (THE ORGANISATION FOR
MOBILISATION OF THE OPPRESSED)
• IN THE 2009 ELECTION PROTESTS, AHMEDINEJAD
MOBILISED YOUNG ZEALOTS TO ASSIST RIOT POLICE.
• BASIJ HAVE A BUDGET OF $400 MILLION, STAFF OF
90,000 & MEMBERSHIP OF 11 MILLION – MOSTLY
TEENAGERS.
• CLOSEST ORGANISATIONAL PARALLEL IS THE HITLER
YOUTH USED AS THE LAST THROW OF THE DICE IN
THE DEFENCE OF GERMANY – AND VERY
EXPENDABLE.
• AS WE SAW IN THE HISTORY OF THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR
THE “BASIJI BOYS” WERE VERY EXPENDABLE

HEZBOLLAH (PARTY OF ALLAH)
• CREATURE OF THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR OPERATING
OUTSIDE IRANIAN BORDERS – IT IS DEEPLY
ENTRENCHED IN LEBANON -POLITICALLY &
MILITARILY.
• SPECIALISES IN BOMBINGS, ASSASSINATIONS,
HOSTAGE TAKING, MURDER & HI-JACKINGS
• DEEPLY ANTI-SEMITIC .
• 50,000 (?) MEMBERS, OUT OF WHICH COULD
MUSTER 2 MILITARY DIVISIONS IN WAR.
• ITS MILITARY INTELLIGENCE WOULD BE GOOD
BECAUSE OF ITS POSITION IN LEBANON

HEZBOLLAH NOW A DECLARED
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

COVID-19 PANDEMIC.IRAN’S WILD
CARD. 12 JUNE 2020: 180,000 CASES,
8600 DEAD, INCLUDING LEADERS

1. INTERNET READING
WIKIPEDIA
• ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS
• QUDS FORCE
• HEZBOLLAH
• MOHAMMAD BAGHER GHALIBAF

2. BOOKS
• HESAN FOROZAN : “THE MILITARY IN POST-
REVOLUTIONARY IRAN. EVOLUTION & ROLE OF
THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS”
• NATIONAL COUNCIL OF RESISTANCE IRAN-US
OFFICE. “ THE RISE OF IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY
GUARDS’ FINANCIAL EMPIRE: HOW THE
SUPREME LEADER & THE IRGC ROB THE PEOPLE
TO FUND INTERNATIONAL TERROR.” (KINDLE
BOOK IS $3.84 & PAPERBACK $5.95 AT
AMAZON)

3. DOCUMENTARIES
• RELIGION, POLITICS & IRAN’S
REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS
(1HOUR & 2 MINUTES)
• TURNING UP THE HEAT. U.S. ROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSION ON REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS
(1 HOUR & 44 MINUTES)

4. MOVIES
• THERE IS A NARRATION FROM IRAN’S SHORT
MOVIE CLUB COVERING 1 HOUR AND 41
MINUTES ON:
“IRANIAN WOMEN CINEMA: THE FEMALE
REPRESENTATION NARRATED BY IRANIAN
WOMEN FILMMAKERS”
(Google also: IRANIAN WOMEN CINEMA ETC.
THIS IS A 14 PAGE DISSERTATION ON THE
MOVIE CLUB PRESENTATION)

Iran all slides

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Iran all slides

Similar to Iran all slides (20)

More from Ian De Mellow

More from Ian De Mellow (10)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Iran all slides

Editor's Notes