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Khomeini's Cassettes Sparked Iran's Revolution: A Historical Echo

3/17/2026

Center

Khomeini's Revolutionary Influence

Ayatollah Khomeini's audio cassettes helped drive Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Activists and mosque networks reproduced his messages, bypassing the Shah's media control.
Khomeini's calm voice denounced the Shah and called for an Islamic government, mobilizing protests that led to Shah's departure on January 16, 1979.
Parallels have been drawn to Mojtaba Khamenei after being appointed Supreme Leader, who has communicated without public appearances, echoing Khomeini's earlier tactics.

Left

Bishop Warns Resilience

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani says the Iranian regime is "in its death throes" and cautions against underestimating its resilience.
She fears civil war and bloodshed from the crackdown on dissent.
She says change must come from within Iran because external interventions undermine people's agency.
She backs the United Kingdom's decision not to join US-Israeli strikes, citing international law.

History

Historical Context

The Iranian Revolution culminated in the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on January 16, 1979, largely fueled by Ayatollah Khomeini's mobilization through audio cassettes and mosque networks. This revolution replaced the monarchy with the Islamic Republic, marking a significant shift in Iran's governance and society. Today, parallels are drawn between Khomeini's communication tactics and those of Mojtaba Khamenei, highlighting ongoing struggles for political change.

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Khomeini's Revolutionary Influence

Ayatollah Khomeini's audio cassettes helped drive Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Activists and mosque networks reproduced his messages, bypassing the Shah's media control.
Khomeini's calm voice denounced the Shah and called for an Islamic government, mobilizing protests that led to Shah's departure on January 16, 1979.
Parallels have been drawn to Mojtaba Khamenei after being appointed Supreme Leader, who has communicated without public appearances, echoing Khomeini's earlier tactics.

1 / 3