When reaching Tehran, first he went to the Refah School which was located on the southeastern side of the National Consultative Assembly. like the Keramat Mosque in Mashhad, that place served as the command centre of the Revolution. When he informed Mr. Bahonar of his arrival, he told him that he has been invited to Mr. Motahari’s house and had to go there. At Mr. Motahhari’s house, he went to the drawing-room where he saw Mr. Taleqani, Hashemi-Rafsanjani, Beheshti, Bazargan, Major General Qarani, and another military officer. Everything showed that a serious meeting is going to be held. He asked Mr. Motahhari about the meeting. “This is the leadership council of the Revolution, and you are a member of this council,” he said.
Imam Khomeini had announced the imminent formation of the Council of the Islamic Revolution on January 12, 1979. Attending that meeting caused him to stay in Tehran until four decades later. From then on, he has immersed himself in things that started one after the other and had no end. What attracted Mr. Khamenei’s attention in his observations of Tehran was the stability and awareness of the people of this city. From the first day of his arrival in Tehran, he saw the streets of the city mixed with the blood of the people who have refused to give up their demands. The main motto of people at that time was “Independence, Freedom, Islamic Republic.”
Mr. Khamenei believed that such firmness and determination are rooted in the views and ideas promoted by Imam Khomeini, the Leader of the Revolution. In those days, an attempt was made to keep Shapour Bakhtiar in power, and it was said that he wanted to go to Paris to meet with Imam Khomeini, accompany him, and obtain his consent. When Imam Khomeini was informed about this decision, he said that he is allowed to come when he resigns as the Prime Minister. In the meantime, a group of scholars of Qom have held a meeting at Refah School to discuss the issues and developments of Tehran. Mr. Beheshti along with others went there and told them everything about the meeting of Imam Khomeini and Bakhtiar.
Since mid-January, the news of Imam Khomeini’s return to his homeland came to the fore. No news for the Iranian people could be so compelling and attractive. When the newspapers, after ending their strikes, on January 21, used the headline “Friday prayers with Imam Khomeini in Tehran” or “Saturday’s march [28th of the month of Safar/January 27, 1979] led by Imam Khomeini” in the next day, people felt that what they had been hoping for a long time is now going to be achieved.
Among the contradictory news about the certainty of Imam Khomeini’s move, the committee for welcoming Imam Khomeini on January 26 announced the details of the program of welcoming the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, and by specifying the marching routes, determined Behesht-e Zahra as the final destination and the gathering place. On that day, Friday, the people of Tehran and other cities who had arrived in the capital a few days ago went to Behesht-e Zahra. The crowd was so large that six kilometres before the destination the cars could not move forwards.
Everything was ready for Imam Khomeini’s speech in Behesht-e Zahra. Mr. Beheshti delivered a speech for the people. The resolution, which was then read, had been written by Mr. Khamenei and announced during his speech.
Holding a Sit-In at the University
After returning from Behesht-e Zahra, they held a meeting to discuss the issue of the return of Imam Khomeini. Mr. Khamenei suggested that they should hold a sit-in until Imam Khomeini comes back to the country. The sit-in was scheduled to be staged on January 28, 1979. January 27 was, after the days of Tasu’a, Ashura and Arba’in, the fourth great procession took place in Tehran and other large and small cities. The massacre of the people of Tehran on Friday could not remove their determination to participate in this great gathering. As the eighth-articled resolution was read on the eastern side of Azadi Square, Eisenhower (Azadi) Street was overflowing with the crowds.
Following the announcement of the sit-in, the first statement was issued. The statement condemned Friday’s killings in Tehran, Tabriz, Rasht, Gorgan, Abadan and Sanandaj, as well as the closure of Tehran’s airport, stressing that “in protest against the inhumane treatment of Bakhtiar’s government we will hold a sit-in at the University of Tehran Mosque from 9 a.m. on February 18, until Imam Khomeini returns to his homeland. From this holy place, together with other students, we will convey our legitimate voice to the world. May the Islamic Republic be established under the leadership of Imam Khomeini. The sit-in clergies in the mosque of the University of Tehran.”
The number of clerics reached one hundred on the first day. It didn’t take long for people to fill the University of Tehran and the surrounding streets in support of the political action. Supports were not limited to Tehran and people in other cities turned out for such an event. On the days of the sit-in, which lasted four days, various meetings were held, the most important of which was distributing responsibilities after the return of Imam Khomeini.
Mr. Khamenei’s second speech in Tehran in those days was delivered on a sit-in day. That day was January 30. From the morning until the last hours of the afternoon, many demonstrations took place at the University of Tehran and the surrounding streets. One of the demonstrations was held by those who worked in military industries.
Perhaps Mr. Khamenei’s speech was related to this demonstration. 4,500 members of this military organization were approaching Tehran University while driving cars with Imam Khomeini’s photographs on them but they were prevented from doing so by Tehran’s security agents. They sat on the ground shouting: “We are military personnel; we are waiting for Khomeini.”
Ayandegan newspaper reported that “around five in the afternoon, while Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei was giving a speech at the mosque of the University of Tehran, some people moved towards the mosque from the entrance of the university shouting ‘leaders, leaders, give us weapons.’”
Imam Khomeini’s Return
Due to the increase of the objections to the decision of preventing Imam Khomeini from returning to the country, Shapour Bakhtiar in a press conference stated that: “I declare loudly that Ayatollah Khomeini can return to the country whenever he wants.” In the last hours of January 30, Mr. Mofteh, a member of the Central Committee for welcoming Imam Khomeini, speaking to one of the journals, announced that the Supreme Leader of the Revolution would arrive in Iran on Thursday morning, February 1. The Iranian people were so excited during those days. The welcoming committee became involved in a great task on a great day. Although it tried to control the current affairs, the incident ahead was too great to be fully controlled.
What happened at the airport was a collection of conflicting emotions: joy, fear, astonishment, worry. The concourse was full of guests. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of Imam Khomeini. They represented different groups: clerics, university professors and students, seminarians, religious minorities, etc. All eyes were fixed on the main door, but suddenly Imam Khomeini entered the hall through another door.
Then, more than a hundred reporters entered through the main door. The hall was filled with people waving towards Imam Khomeini. Imam Khomeini stood in a place that had been prepared for him. He only said a few sentences.
After Imam Khomeini left the concourse, his relatives, including Mr. Khamenei, went behind him. Imam Khomeini got into a car specially prepared for him and the others got in the buses that were ready to accompany him. They arrived at 24 Esfand Square. Some decided to go to the house of Mr. Mousavi-Ardabili and discuss the next issues. They were not supposed to accompany Imam Khomeini to Behesht-e Zahra. After consulting at Mr. Mousavi-Ardabili’s house, they left for the Refah School. When Mr. Khamenei arrived at school, he was very tired...
The next day, Imam Khomeini went to Alavi School. Most of the organizers and authorities were Khomeini to that school. Mr. Khamenei stayed in Refah School. The environment was relatively quiet for his works which did not require him to accompany Imam Khomeini. His responsibility was to run the cultural and propaganda affairs of the Islamic Revolution’s leadership headquarters, including publishing a newspaper.
It was on February 4 that Mr. Khamenei was informed that the members of the Council of the Islamic Revolution will have a meeting with Imam Khomeini. To reach the boys’ school, he passed through the crowd with difficulty. Finally, he reached the school. The rest of the members were there; Imam Khomeini was in the room reciting the Holy Quran. When they entered, he lifted his head, closed it respectfully, looked at them, and answered their greetings. Fifteen years have passed since Mr. Khamenei’s last meeting with Imam Khomeini. Has he recognized his student? A 24-year-old young man with a fresh face has become an imprisoned, tortured, and exiled 39-year-old person!
No, he didn’t recognize him. Mr. Motahhari introduced him and spared no effort to do so; as far as Mr. Khamenei felt that he is exaggerating. Imam Khomeini recognized Mr. Khamenei and expressed his love towards him with a happy face, in which probably the signs of surprise were hidden. “I have not forgotten the joy of that moment.”
The meeting was held to discuss the interim government. Imam Khomeini insisted that soon the formation of an interim government should be announced, although Bakhtiar still insists on being in power. On the same day, Imam Khomeini appointed Mahdi Bazargan as the Prime Minister, and the members of the Council of the Islamic Revolution went to prepare for its announcement at a ceremony which was going to be held the next day. The school meeting room was prepared for the introduction ceremony. Mr. Hashemi-Rafsanjani was appointed to read Imam Khomeini’s decree. A place was set up for Imam Khomeini, Mr. Bazargan and Mr. Hashemi-Rafsanjani. On February 6, the people’s support for the interim government, led by Bazargan, began with demonstrations that were held in Tehran and other cities.
Air Force Personals in Imam Khomeini’s Residence
Mr. Khamenei’s workplace had been moved from Refah School to the Alavi Girls’ School located in Iran Street. Imam Khomeini also lived in Alavi Boys’ School. It was February 8. Some members of the Air Force while not wearing the military uniforms came to Imam Khomeini’s residence. At the Alavi girls ‘school, they changed their clothes and went to the boys’ school while wearing uniforms and chanting slogans on parade. Their commander said that taking pictures of the individuals is not allowed; because if they are identified their families will be in danger. He said that geographers can take pictures only from behind.
A great event was going to occur. Imam Khomeini’s prediction for recompilation with the army was becoming a reality. Of course, before that incidents have occurred which indicated the solidarity of the army, especially the Air Force, with the Islamic Revolution. The Air Force has led the first waves of objections. On the afternoon of February 8, a group of members of the Esfahan Air Force, who had arrived in Tehran, visited Imam Khomeini; and a thousand personals of the Bushehr Air Force’s sixth airbase held a demonstration supporting Imam Khomeini. The Army had practically been broken.
The Statute of the Islamic Republic Party
In addition to his daily activities, whenever was possible, he would talk to Mr. Beheshti, Mr. Hashemi-Rafsanjani, Mr. Bahonar, and Mr. Mousavi-Ardabili, about the unfinished task they had started over the past two years, that is to say, the establishment of an Islamic party. Now with the immense victory of the movement, they wanted to take the preliminary steps for it, including drafting its statute. They strongly believed that any weakness or delay in the party’s establishment would be harmful. It was decided that two of the five would complete the drafting of the statute. “Mr. Bahonar and I were chosen for this. Sometimes, Mohammad-Javad Hojjati-Kermani also would join us.
The Islamic Republic Party announced its establishment on February 18. In the afternoon of February 9, people at the University of Tehran were listening to Mr. Bazargan’s speech. He had outlined the interim government’s plans for those present, which were the demands of Imam Khomeini. But the most important incident was the clashes that occurred between the students at the Air Training Centre (the Homafaran of Doshan Tappeh Air Base) with the military forces of the imperial guard; in fact, it was a spark that set the government on fire, and 48 hours later, nothing from the so-called imperial system remained except a piece of ashes. The clashes began after Imam Khomeini’s entry into Iran had been broadcasted on the Iranian national television that night. According to some, broadcasting the news of Imam Khomeini’s entry into Iran followed by the news of the demonstrations of the supporters of the monarchical system and insulting Imam Khomeini in that incident, and according to another narration, reciting ”Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa Aale Muhammad” (“Oh God! Bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad”) by the students when they saw the scene of Imam Khomeini’s arrival in the country, caused that spark. The clashes continued with gunfire. When people found out about the clashes, they gathered around the training centre, asking for help and shouting “Allahu Akbar.”
He spent that night in the house of an old friend on Iran Street. The screams woke him up. When he went out, he saw people called for helping the Air Force while shouting with enthusiasm. They all were moving towards the eastern regions in numbers; Doshan Tappeh Air Base. Street clashes that had been erupted last night ended at 9 a.m. on February 10, but they started again with the attack of the Guards. People began fortifying the streets.
On that day, the fortieth announcement of the Tehran Military Governor’s Office was read on the radio at two o’clock in the afternoon. According to this announcement, a curfew was in effect from 4:30 p.m. that day to 5 a.m. of the next day. Imam Khomeini, who this time monitored the movement not from outside the borders but from the centre of Tehran, issued a statement: this curfew is deceit and is against Islam. People should not follow it.
Several minibuses were ready to move from Alavi School to the city streets. Their mission was to convey Imam Khomeini’s message to the people. The first person who got into a minibus to go to the city and announce that the curfew is deceitful was Sayyed Mahmoud Doaei. Clashes between the personals of the Air Force and the Guard had now turned into clashes between the people and the Guard. On February 10, 164 people were martyred and 634 were wounded in Tehran. Whatever the plot was, it was thwarted. From the last hours of the twenty-first day, Tehran was in the hands of the armed citizens.
Archive of Ayatollah Khamenei
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