— The proclamation of the Islamic Republic of Iran was preceded by the Islamic Revolution. What led to it?
— Since the 1950s, overthrows of monarchies have occurred throughout the Middle East: for example, in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia. Monarchies also fell in two neighboring states of Iran - Iraq and Afghanistan.
There were several immediate causes of the revolution. As a result of the land reform of 1962, not all peasants received land. But even those who received small plots often could not feed themselves from them. Peasants moved en masse to the cities, and the urban population grew rapidly. At the same time, in the cities they also could not always find work, adding to the army of those dissatisfied with life.
Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi carried out pro-Western reforms, regardless of the traditions of the majority of the population, which was devoted to the national religion - Shiite Islam. Under the Shah, Western films were shown in Iran, the content of which contradicted Islamic traditions, performances unacceptable for Muslims were staged in theaters, alcohol was sold everywhere in the cities, and the elite organized provocative parties. The socio-economic inequality prevailing in the country was striking: representatives of the Shah's court, senior officers and officials led a luxurious lifestyle, built expensive mansions and traveled around Europe, while in poor city neighborhoods people huddled in slums without electricity and other basic amenities. amenities.
In terms of economic growth, the Shah's Iran ranked second in Asia after Japan. However, this did not affect the lives of many people in any way, and they were unhappy. The population took the Shah's repressions against the opposition hard, including against the opposition-minded clergy. Many were also outraged by the rapprochement with the United States and the payment of huge fees to numerous American instructors and advisers. Ayatollah (the highest Shiite theologian) Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini was able to direct all this discontent in the right direction.
Tehran in 1971
AP
© Horst Faas
— How did the Islamic Revolution develop in Iran? What was the key to her success?
— The Islamic Revolution began in January 1978, when mass protests took place in the holy city of Qom for Shiites. They were brutally suppressed. Gradually, many cities were engulfed in large-scale anti-monarchist demonstrations.
Ayatollah Khomeini became the recognized leader of the revolutionary movement. The poor, many intellectuals, and opposition parties united around him. Although the Shah's security forces used violence against protesters, Khomeini forbade his supporters to retaliate in kind, insisting that the revolution must be nonviolent. Many military and police officers refused to shoot at the people and went over to the side of the protesters. Several thousand people died, but the protesters won a victory over the regime.
Protests in Tehran in 1978
AP
© Michel Lipchitz
The Shah was completely helpless, rushing from repression to concessions. He constantly asked the US and British ambassadors for advice. Washington and London at first hoped that the Shah, loyal to them, would retain power, and allowed him to do whatever he considered necessary to suppress the protests, although they declaratively expressed regret over the deaths of civilians. Then, realizing that it was no longer possible to curb the revolutionary crowds, Western countries decided that there was no point in continuing to support the Shah. Then Mohammed Reza Pahlavi flew to Egypt, and Ayatollah Khomeini, who was abroad, triumphantly returned to the country. Iran was declared an Islamic Republic.
— How did state policy and the lives of citizens change after this?
— To answer this question, we need to pay attention to the peculiarities of the worldview of Ayatollah Khomeini, who ruled Iran until his death in 1989. He believed that in Islamic countries the state should establish religious standards for all citizens in public life - encouraging piety and discouraging sin, he said. Khomeini saw this as the key to the rapid and successful spiritual development of Muslims. Therefore, under Khomeini, the sale of alcohol and loose European clothing were banned, separate beaches and swimming pools were organized, and Western films and books were carefully censored. The majority of the population approved of this policy, but there were also dissenters who left the country en masse. As a result, a large Iranian diaspora formed in the United States and Europe, mostly opposed to the Islamic regime.
As a result, only one major political force remained in the country - the Islamic Republic Party, but it was dissolved in 1987 due to acute internal contradictions. At the same time, I want to emphasize that Khomeini was not a cruel tyrant, as he is portrayed in the West. For example, he prohibited police from arresting opposition demonstrators who insulted him and tore his portraits.
If we talk about foreign policy, Khomeini moved away from close relations with the United States, Israel and South Africa. But at the same time, there was no rapprochement with the USSR - the Iranian authorities did not like the principle of scientific atheism. As a result, Iran found itself in international isolation and was attacked by Iraq, which enjoyed the support of Western countries. But the Iranians resisted and were able to survive. Peace in 1988 was concluded on Iran's terms. In 1989, Khomeini wrote a well-known letter to Mikhail Gorbachev, in which he welcomed the USSR's departure from the orthodox version of communism and the introduction of religious freedom, while at the same time warning the Soviet leader against rapprochement with the West.
— 45 years have passed since the proclamation of the Islamic Republic in Iran. How has the country's political system and social life evolved since then?
— After the death of Khomeini, a new spiritual leader came to power - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. And his right hand was Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a very wise and flexible politician who also came from the clergy. Rafsanjani carried out progressive economic reforms, which consisted of liberalization, giving freedom to the private sector and attracting foreign investment. As a result, significant economic growth was achieved. A certain liberalization also took place in the political system, but with the preservation of the dominant power in the hands of the highest clergy. More than two hundred parties and movements emerged. The country regularly holds parliamentary and presidential elections.
Military personnel demonstrate solidarity with the people during the Islamic Revolution in Iran
Gettyimages.ru
© Keystone
In recent years, under the influence of the Internet and propaganda from pro-Western foreign media, in Iran there has been a growing number of people dissatisfied with the Islamic regime who would like to reorient the country towards an alliance with the West. And a certain part of urban young Iranians completely abandoned Islam and refused to observe Islamic traditions, adhering to the Western way of life. They praise the overthrown Pahlavi dynasty, ignoring the harm it caused Iran, and have a negative attitude towards Khomeini, neglecting his merits.
— Numerous international sanctions have been imposed against Iran. How did Tehran deal with them? What successes have the Iranian authorities achieved since the proclamation of Iran?
— The first US sanctions against Iran were introduced back in 1979. In 2012 they were sharply strengthened. In response, Ayatollah Khamenei called on Iranian scientists to work to reduce the economy's dependence on oil and create an “economy of resistance.” However, given the outdated infrastructure and lack of necessary investments, it was not possible to completely free ourselves from oil dependence. The coronavirus pandemic has also dealt a heavy blow to the economy. But the government manages to prevent a serious economic downturn. Industry continues to develop in the country, especially nuclear and pharmaceutical. Iran as a whole is self-sufficient in food. But inflation, unemployment, depreciation of the national currency, lack of investment, as well as a certain ossification of the economy are still relevant.
Among the achievements and successes of Iran after the Islamic Revolution, I would note the rapid spread of education, especially among women. Today, more than 80% of women in Iran are literate, a figure higher than in most Middle Eastern countries. True, most of them, due to Middle Eastern traditions, are in no hurry to find work.
There are over three million students in the country. Before the revolution there were only 150 thousand of them. Average life expectancy is increasing. Before the Islamic Revolution, it was lower than even in many developing countries, and now it is approaching the level of Western Europe. This is due to the massive construction of hospitals and clinics, as well as the training of qualified doctors and nurses. High-quality medical care is available in all corners of the country. Since 1979, the number of poor people has decreased several times.
Among the successes I would also include persistent opposition to the West, uncompromising defense of traditional values, protecting society from negative external trends, refusal to make concessions on issues related to national sovereignty, including the development of the nuclear program and relations with Russia.
Launch of an Iranian satellite into orbit in 2011
AP
© Iranian Defense Ministry, Vahid Reza Alaei
— What is the Islamic Republic of Iran today? How do you assess its political, economic, social prospects?
— Iran, despite numerous problems, maintains an independent foreign policy and a unique Islamic regime that enjoys the support of a significant part of the population. Iran is one of the safest countries in the Middle East. He supports Russia's efforts to create a multipolar world. If Iran manages to strengthen economic ties with the Russian Federation, China and India, and receive the necessary investments from them, then we can expect a resumption of economic growth, even despite sanctions.