The role of Imam Khomeini (RA) as the founder of the Islamic Revolution of Iran

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH

The victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (RA), marked a significant transformation in the country’s political landscape, both domestically and internationally. On the domestic front, it led to a restructuring of the government, a shift in governance practices, and the transfer of authority to the people. On the international level, it brought about a change in diplomatic behaviour and values. In both dimensions, these transformations were rooted in the principles of pure Muhammadan Islam.

The Islamic Revolution in Iran, which occurred and shaped the early years of the 21st century, stands as one of the most significant political events in the post-World War II era. What sets this revolution apart from other major developments of the 20th century is the emergence of a singular leader, who, drawing upon extensive knowledge of Islamic culture and theology, and supported by a widespread base, was able to revitalize both Islam and Iranian society through tireless dedication and visionary leadership.

In the course of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini’s role as the principal ideologist stands out prominently. His most significant contribution was fundamentally transforming Shiite Ijtihadist thought concerning politics. These changes were rooted in his novel interpretation of Shiite Islamic concepts, teachings, and symbols. Grounded in this perspective, the primary objectives of the Islamic movements and the Iranian Islamic Revolution are:

Establish the sovereignty of Islam and preserve the unity of the Islamic world.
Resist colonialism and exploitation in Islamic lands.
Combat oppression, domination, and colonialism on a global scale.
Support Islamic, humanitarian, and liberation movements worldwide.
Promote peace and tranquillity by overthrowing oppression and arrogance, and by establishing divine sovereignty in Islamic lands.

Thus, the Islamic Revolution, grounded in the ideological framework of the Islamic school of thought, revitalizes specific Islamic principles and governance theories at the national level. Moreover, due to the universal scope of Islam, it also offers distinctive ideas and theories applicable on a global scale.

Imam Khomeini envisioned global justice and believed that only an “Islamic world order” could achieve it. He firmly asserted that Islam’s true purpose was to establish justice not just within Iran or the Islamic community, but for the entire world.Islam is not confined to any one country, community, or group—even beyond Muslims themselves. It was revealed for all of humanity and speaks to every person. Islam seeks to unite all people under the banner of justice and compassion.

Therefore, the Islamic Revolution, grounded in its universal ideology, sought to revive a unified Islamic identity, resist imperialism and Zionism, and foster solidarity across the Islamic world against global arrogance.From the perspective of officials of the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic homeland is destined to expand and ultimately encompass the entire world. Since Islam’s mission is the salvation of humanity, the initial step involves the concept of exporting the revolution. This means spreading the values, ideals, and experiences of the Islamic Revolution—such as independence, the pursuit of humane qualities, self-sufficiency, support for the oppressed, and the establishment of social justice. Consequently, exporting the revolution in this sense has become a central goal for revolutionaries.

From Imam Khomeini’s perspective, faith in Islam and its transcendent values embodies a continuous responsibility toward the fate of all humanity. He viewed the Islamic Revolution as a representation of the ideals cherished by oppressed people worldwide, believing it would gain acceptance because it reflected the aspirations of the deprived and marginalized Muslims. His policies were firmly rooted in rejecting oppression, domination, and hegemony, as well as opposing silence and passivity in the face of injustice. Imam Khomeini presented the Islamic Revolution as both a practical and attainable model for change.

A macro-level analysis of the Islamic Revolution reveals that the Iranian Revolution fundamentally challenged the international system by introducing values and norms that conflicted with the interests of powers supporting the status quo. Simultaneously, the establishment of Shiite rule in Iran opened new possibilities for Muslims worldwide, positioning them as influential actors in regional and global affairs. The Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, as well as similar groups in Iraq and Yemen, embodied Imam Khomeini’s political vision. Their successes—including the first significant victory of Muslims and Arabs against Israel—demonstrated a path to triumph for Muslims everywhere.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, while upholding the principle of good neighbourliness, has consistently prioritized the development of bilateral, regional, and international relations. It emphasizes maintaining friendly ties with all countries—especially Islamic nations—with a particular focus on its neighbouring Islamic states.

In establishing the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and shaping its foreign policy, expanding relations and enhancing cooperation with neighbouring countries was a top priority. The Islamic Revolution of Iran stands as one of the most significant ongoing developments of the contemporary era, with profound political, economic, cultural, and strategic impacts on domestic, regional, and international levels, carrying far-reaching consequences.The regional and international impacts of Iran’s Islamic Revolution are undeniable. It disrupted the existing balance of power, accelerated the decline of colonial influence by major powers in the region, inspired oppressed and suffering nations to rise up, and significantly weakened the foundations of colonialism.The foundation of this revolution was undeniably religious, rooted in a strong ideological framework. Religious principles have significantly influenced the regime’s foreign policy, profoundly shaping relations between Iran and Pakistan. Guided by this perspective, the Islamic Republic of Iran views Pakistan as a key partner in bilateral cooperation and consistently emphasizes the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations.

One of the key challenges to bilateral and multilateral cooperation lies in differing ideological foundations, which significantly influence the nature of relations between countries. At the same time, possessing accurate and comprehensive knowledge of neighbouring states—their internal developments, methods of communication, and avenues for cooperation or, when necessary, confrontation—is a critical responsibility of any government’s foreign policy apparatus.

National security and interests are closely tied to both internal conditions and the situation along the borders, including relations with neighbouring countries. Moreover, Iran’s territorial and strategic environment is influenced by various external geopolitical factors, which can contribute to either stability or insecurity.

Also, the unstable neighbouring regions, particularly to the east of the country, have raised significant strategic concerns. The fragility of surrounding governments, combined with their deep-rooted ethnic and religious influence within Iran, has further exacerbated these challenges. Additionally, the presence of the world’s largest drug production and trafficking hub along Iran’s eastern borders has heightened the country’s vulnerability.

The relationship between Iran and Pakistan holds particular importance due to several factors. In addition to sharing a long border, the two countries are linked by deep historical, cultural, religious, and security ties. Both governments have consistently worked to foster active, comprehensive relations and to expand their shared interests.

During this process, the Islamic Revolution brought about fundamental changes and developments in Iran’s foreign policy, similar to other social spheres. The monotheistic worldview expanded the horizons of the Islamic government significantly, redefining the responsibilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran with new objectives that extended beyond its geographical borders.

The Holy Quran describes Muslims as a single, united nation:This principle is also reflected in Article 11 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which states: “Based on this verse of the Holy Quran, all Muslims are one nation. Therefore, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to basing its overall policies on the unity and solidarity of Islamic nations, and to making consistent efforts to achieve political, economic, and cultural unity throughout the Islamic world.”

In short, if international peace and security are fundamental to the collective life of nations, then all countries must support the factors that foster peace and security. Moreover, if the oppression and domination of nations threaten this peace, every nation should work together to eliminate such injustice.The conclusion drawn from these statements is that the struggle for rights and liberation by oppressed nations is a fundamental and inalienable right to self-determination. Supporting these nations in exercising this right is an international responsibility, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding international peace and security through justice.

This explanation emphasizes that international support for impoverished and struggling nations is not merely a humanitarian suggestion or statement but a binding legal obligation under international law.Accordingly, reason and logic affirm that international support for the legitimate struggles of liberation movements must be recognized as a cornerstone of international relations, codified as a binding norm of international law, and upheld as an inherent right of all nations.