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The '''Iranian Revolution''' of 1979 saw the violent overthrow of the [[Shah]] of [[Iran]], [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] (1919-1980), and the replacement of his pro-[[Western]] government by a radical [[Islamic]] regime, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, profoundly reactionary and anti-Western in nature, and led by the [[Ayatollah]] [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] (1902-1989). The success of the Iranian Revolution had had profound ramifications for the world. It has encouraged and supported the violent expression of Islamic radicalism through [[terrorism]] across the globe, and has brutalised and oppressed its own people.

The '''Iranian Revolution''' of 1979 saw the violent overthrow of the [[Shah]] of [[Iran]], [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] (1919-1980), and the replacement of his pro-[[Western]] government by a radical [[Islamic]] regime, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, profoundly reactionary and anti-Western in nature, and led by the [[Ayatollah]] [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] (1902-1989). The success of the Iranian Revolution had had profound ramifications for the world. The threat of the closure of the [[Strait of Hormuz]], which at the time 42% of the world's [[crude oil]] supplies flowed throw, created [[energy]] shocks throughout the [[planet]]. It has encouraged and supported the violent expression of Islamic radicalism through [[terrorism]] across the globe, and has brutalised and oppressed its own people.

 

==History==

==History==

The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who lived in exile in [[France]], called for riots against the Shah. He promised press freedom and the equality of women after the government would be overthrown. Islamist students in [[Iran]] used violence against the military. The shah [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] escaped on January 16, 1979 into the [[USA]].  Khomeini returned to Iran and employed [[Mehdi Bazargan]] as his prime minister. In March 1979 the Iranians voted on a "referendum" for an Islamic republic. The people could only decided between monarchy and Islamic republic. Khomenei called Democracy "western" and banned opposition parties. He forced female government workers to wear a [[hijab]], women could not be judges and the marriage age for girls was dropped to 13. Today women who do not wear a hijab are often beaten.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2012/raymond-ibrahim/parallel-betrayals-iranian-revolution-and-arab-spring/</ref>  

The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who lived in exile in [[France]], called for riots against the Shah. He promised press freedom and the equality of women after the government would be overthrown. Islamist students in [[Iran]] used violence against the military. The shah [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] escaped on January 16, 1979 into the [[USA]].  Khomeini returned to Iran and employed [[Mehdi Bazargan]] as his prime minister. In March 1979 the Iranians voted on a "referendum" for an Islamic republic. The people could only decided between monarchy and Islamic republic. Khomenei called Democracy "western" and banned opposition parties. He forced female government workers to wear a [[hijab]], women could not be judges and the marriage age for girls was dropped to 13. Today women who do not wear a hijab are often beaten.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2012/raymond-ibrahim/parallel-betrayals-iranian-revolution-and-arab-spring/</ref>