The Islamic Revolution Council of Iran
The Islamic Revolution Council of Iran was a temporary institution established based on the necessities of the early revolutionary period. It was publicly formed on January 12, 1979, by the order of Imam Khomeini, with the aim of organizing the administration of the revolution and the country. This council was the most important revolutionary institution of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the beginning of the Islamic Revolution,which responsible for both legislative and executive powers. The formation of this council marked the first practical step toward governing the country and facilitated the transition from monarchy to the Islamic Republic. With the commencement of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), the Guardian Council, and other institutions, the responsibilities and necessity of the Revolution Council came to an end in 1980.How was the Revolution Council formed?Retrieved Mar 25, 2025 from Imam Khomeini's Portal.http://www.imam-khomeini.ir/fa/n14343[1].
Background
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the expansion of protests and strikes in 1978, along with Imam Khomeini's presence outside the country, highlighted the need for leadership and organizing of the movement to the leader of the revolution and various political activist groups. The prevailing conditions of the revolution and the strong inclination toward councils and aversion to individualistic methods among the militants naturally revealed the necessity of forming the Revolution Council. Consequently, figures such as Morteza Motahhari, Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti, and Mahdi Bazargan traveled to Paris to consult with Imam Khomeini.Hashemi Rafsanjani, Akbar.(2004). Records and Memoirs, Years 1978-1979, Revolution and Victory,Tehran: Office of Islamic Revolution Publications[2].
Objectives
The following three objectives can be considered the primary and most general goals for establishing the Revolution Council:
· Organizing the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
· Delivering the final blows to the faltering regime of the oppressive Pahlavi dynasty.
· Assisting in the administration of the country after the victory of the revolution.
Chairmen and Secretaries
Initially, the responsibility of forming and managing the meetings was entrusted to Morteza Motahhari and Seyyed Mahmoud Taleghani. After their passing, Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti, who faced insistence from members to accept the chairmanship, suggested using the title "Secretary of the Council" instead of "Chairman."
Members
The core of the Revolution Council initially included individuals such as Martyr(Shahid) Beheshti, Shahid Motahhari, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Shahid Bahonar, and Mousavi Ardebili. Gradually, more members were added to the council, both before and after the victory of the revolution. Some members, such as Morteza Motahhari, Seyyed Mahmoud Taleghani, Mohammad Javad Bahonar, Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti, and Valiollah Qaranei, were killed or passed away in the early months after the revolution. Some members who were part of the Freedom Movement (Mahdi Bazargan, Ahmad Sadr Haj Seyyed Javadi, Yadollah Sahabi, Ezzatollah Sahabi, Ebrahim Yazdi, Ali Akbar Moeinfar, Sadegh Qotbzadeh), as well as Habibollah Peyman and Abolhassan Banisadr, distanced themselves from the council in the years following the revolution, and some developed ideological and behavioral differences with the Islamic Republic system.
End of Mission
The mission of the Revolution Council ended after 18 months on July 17, 1980, shortly after the inauguration of the first term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. With the commencement of the Majlis, the Guardian Council, and other institutions, the responsibilities and necessity of the Revolution Council came to an end. Therefore, on July 3, 1980, Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti announced that the responsibilities of the Revolution Council would end in two weeks. The final meeting of the council was held on July 17, 1980.