Chronology of the Islamic Revolution

12 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 01, 1979 C.E.)
*At 5.30 A.M. at dawn, plane carrying Imam Khomeini departs from Paris towards Tehran.
*He is accorded the most sensational welcome in history from the airport to Behesht-e-Zahra burial ground (place where Imam delivers his speech).
*At the gathering of welcoming crowd, Imam Khomeini thanks all strata of society and calls the Shah’s departure and his own arrival as the foremost step to victory.
*Imam Khomeini’s speech at the Behehst-e-Zahra burial grounds; the Imam calls the Pahlavi monarchy unlawful.
*In a message to military officers and troops, Imam Khomeini calls upon them to withdraw their support for the Bakhtiyar government.
*At a gathering of members of the welcoming committee, the Imam describes the achievements of the Revolution and remarks that the slogan of nationality and nationalism is a ploy aimed at diverting the movement.

13 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 02, 1979 C.E.)
*In a speech at the Alavi School, Imam Khomeini underlines the necessity to continue the struggle until the regime’s downfall.
*America’s State Department spokesman announces that Imam Khomeini’s anti-American remarks on arrival in Tehran have not in any way affected America’s position vis-à-vis Iran.
*According to Reuter news agency, the Israeli government has expressed its deep anxieties at Imam Khomeini’s return.

 

 

14 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 03, 1979 C.E.)
*At a gathering of clergymen, Imam Khomeini speaks of the colonialist theory of separation of religion from politics and of pushing aside the clergy from politics and its consequences.
*At a gathering of members of the welcoming committee, Imam Khomeini called the slogan of ‘nationality’ an American ploy.

 

 

15 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 04, 1979 C.E.)
*Imam Khomeini commissions Bazargan to form government.

16 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 05, 1979 C.E.)
*At a gathering of news correspondents, Imam Khomeini speaks about the interim government and the positive necessity of compliance with it and also takes questions from correspondents.
*Imam Khomeini speaks to a gathering of erudite scholars of Khuzestan province and refers to unity of expression as the key to victory.
*At a gathering of representatives that had quit the National Consultative Assembly, Imam Khomeini spoke about the illegal contracts and meeting with monarchy or American elements adding that the Shah did not heed his advice (in the years 1963-64).
*At a gathering of the clergy and military personnel, while advising the military and the government, the Imam considered it the public’s duty to obey the government.

 

17 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 06, 1979 C.E.)
*In a message to all strata of the nation, Imam Khomeini thanked them for their kindness in connection with his return to the country.
*At a gathering of exporters of dried fruits and nuts, Imam Khomeini spoke about the plunder of both the spiritual and material wealth of Iran during the Pahlavi era and of the necessity to back the interim government.
*At a gathering of the clergy and employees of the oil company, Imam Khomeini spoke of unity and solidarity of various strata of people, fraternity among Shiite and Sunni followers and the responsibility of enlightening and promotion.
*At a gathering of various strata of people, Imam Khomeini spoke about the destructions caused by the Shah’s regime and summoned all individuals to unite in the path of reconstruction.

 

 

18 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 07, 1979 C.E.)
*At a gathering of lawyers of the High Court, Imam Khomeini spoke of the colonialism’s plot in sowing discord among people and dividing the people from the clergy.
*At a gathering of the inhabitants of Kurdistan province, Imam Khomeini spoke of unity and fraternity among Shiites and Sunni followers.

 

 

19 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 08, 1979 C.E.)
*At a gathering of the Tehran Bazaar’s merchants, Imam Khomeini spoke about the Pahlavi dynasty and the key to the nation’s victory and resistance in the face of the superpowers.
*A large number of Air Force personnel in military uniform were received by the Imam. At the meeting, the Imam spoke about the unique characteristics of the Islamic military.
*At a gathering of members of the Association of Islamic Physicians and Teachers, the Imam spoke about the crimes committed by the Pahlavi dynasty.
*in a speech to a group of teachers, The Imam spoke of the invincibility of Divine Movement and aspects of Divine education.
*At a gathering of various strata of people, the Imam called upon one and all to support the interim government and gave the final ultimatum to the last of the Shah’s governments.
*On Imam Khomeini’s orders, a widespread march was held throughout Iran in support of the interim government appointed by him.

20 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 09, 1979 C.E.)
*In a message to the people of Iran, the Imam insists he has no spokesperson.
*At a meeting of the representatives of Protest Strikes Coordination Council, the Imam refers to shunning of differences and the long road to construction.
*At a gathering of physicians, the Imam considers unity of all strata as being the key to victory.

 

21 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 10, 1979 C.E.)
*In a message to the Iranian nation, the Imam condemns the attack by the Royal Guards on the Air Force. The Imam warns the military to withdraw the Guards to the garrisons as soon as possible or else he would take the final decision. The Imam considers the announcements of the martial law to be a ploy and illegal and calls on the people to foil the martial law’s plot with their street protests.

 

22 Bahman 1357 AHS (February 11, 1979 C.E.)
*A group of individuals of the armed forces question the Imam concerning the oath of allegiance to the Shah and the constitution they had taken at the time of joining the military. In response, the Imam states that he considers the oath to be invalid and opposition to it obligatory.
*Upon the Iranian nation’s victory, Imam Khomeini delivers a message to the people of Iran in which he announces the military’s retreat and that it had joined the nation.
*In a message to the people of Iran, the Imam underlines the need to maintain calm and to cooperate with the interim government.