• IMAM KHOMEINI’S RETURN TO IRAN AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS OF EXILE:
Early in Bahman, 1357 the news concerning Imam Khomeini’s decision to return to the country was spread. Whoever heard this news shed tears of joy. The people had been waiting for 14 years.

However, the poeple and friends of the Imam were worried about his life, for, the Shah’s puppet government was still in power, and Martial Law still on. Therefore the Imam’s friends suggested postponement of his return until conditions were secure. On the other hand, the Imam’s presence in those conditions among a multi-million congregation of risen people, in America’s view, meant the certain end of the Shah’s role. Various actions such as threat of sabotaging the aircraft, or occurrence of coup d’etat were voiced to make the Imam postpone his return. Even the French President had interecded. But, Imam Khomeini had made his decision and told, the Iranian people, through messages, that he wishes to be among them in those grave and destiny-making days. The Bakhtiar government, in coordination with Gen. Howizer, closed all airports to foreign flights. A huge crowd from all over the country poured into Tehran and millions of people took part in the demonstrations demanding that airports be opened. A number of clergymen and political personalities took sanctuary in the Tehran university mosque, pending the opening of the airports. After several days, the Bakhtiar government, not able to resist, accepted the people’s demand.
Finally, in the morning of 12 Bahman, 1357 (=Feb. 1, 1978) Imam Khomeini entered his homeland after 14 years exile. The unprecedented gala reception by people was so grand and undeniable that Western news agencies, too, had to confess to it, and estimated the number of welcomers to be 4 to 6 millions. Population flooded the entire passage from the airport to Behesht-e-Zahra, burial site of the martyrs of the Revolution, to hear the Imam’s historic words. It was in this speech that Imam Khomeini rose his voice and said: “I designate a government by the support of this nation!” Shapur Bakhtiar had, at first, thought these words were a joke. But a few days later, Imam Khomeini declared Engr. M. Bazargan as the premier of the protempore Revolutionary Government (16th Bahman, 1357). Engr. Bazargan was a religious man with a record of challenge against the Regime. In the movement for nationalization of the oil industry, he was involved, and had gained experience. He was recommended by the Revolutioary Council for the post of prime minister. In the appointment order, Imam Khomeini had specified that, Engr. Bazargan was made P.M. without regard to party politics, so as to make preliminary arrangements for the Referendum and elections. His holiness the Imam asked the people of Iran to express their opinion about his choice. People all over the country rose and demonstrated their support about the decision of the Imam. Political groups and parties, whose heads and scant members were freed in several stages by the blessing of the People’s Revolution, were, at the threshold of national victory, voicing their heirdom to the Revolution and demanding additional portions. It was in these days that the lining up against the Islamic Revolution, in a spectrum of those attached to Shah’s Regime, members of Savak, Communists and people’s Mujahedin (=monafeqin=hypocrites) was started.