Tensions in Iran

by

Yeganeh Bayani

In the late 1970’s, tensions in Iran mounted, ending finally in a revolution. The two major parties involved were that of the Shah, or king, of Iran, who wanted a more westernized country, and the fundamentalist party led by a very religious Ayatollah Khomeini. This group did not appreciate the Shah’s liberal ideas. The background, causes, and events of this revolution were discussed in my interview with my informant, my mother, Ladan Bayani, a forty-four-year-old registered nurse born and raised in Tehran, Iran, who lived there during this conflict. Bayani discussed the poor economic conditions, the discontentment amongst the religious people of the country, and the horror of the resulting demonstrations.

Many of the activities that led to the revolution were stimulated by the terrible economic conditions in the country at that time (Stempel 81). As Bayani states, "Although the country was very wealthy because of oil, we had a lot of poor people." By June of 1977, many young working men were forced to pay between 50% and 60% of their salaries on housing (Stempel 81). These economic conditions were due to mishandling of the country’s money: " Most of the money from oil was taken to their (the Shah’s family) personal accounts," says Bayani. The economy, however, was just one of many factors that contributed to the revolution.

In addition to the problems with the economy, there was a conflict over the westernization of Iran. Many highly religious, poor, and uneducated people living in the villages of Tehran were against the westernization of Iran brought on by the Shah. Conversely, at the same time, there were many people who agreed with the Shah’s plans. These religious and secular groups met opposition on several occasions (Stempel 82). For example, the Shah wanted to give more freedom to women and permit alcohol, but religious groups were against these and many other ideas. "They (religious groups) didn’t think in a Muslim country, women should have all these freedoms," says Bayani.

These tensions mounted until the fall of 1977;this was the first time that visible signs of disrest were shown from these organized groups on both sides of the conflict (Stempel 82). According to Bayani, student demonstrations were a typical, everyday occurrence:

Demonstrations like these, by both the religious and non-religious groups, are what really started the revolution. The tension and disrest of many years just exploded. As Bayani recalls, it was a frightening experience, due in large part to the power of the Shah’s secret police:

Shah’s police were hired to try and keep these growing numbers of demonstrations under control, until finally, all of the universities were closed due to these demonstrations during Bayani’s senior year. But school was not the only part of Bayani’s daily life that was disrupted; other parts were affected by the martial law that was soon enforced on Tehran:

The martial law was put into action by the government to try and keep the growing number of demonstrations under control. In the beginning, all people had to be home and off the streets by 8:00 p.m., but as Bayani mentioned, in October of 1978, those hours got extended to 10:00 p.m.

The revolution made life for the citizens living in the country, like Bayani, very difficult in other ways, too. Bayani recalls waiting in lines for gas and food because of all of the strikes going on. She also remembers the kinds of surroundings she lived in: "Glass was broken everywhere. You would see police; policemen with guns everywhere. I mean, that’s just not usual."

In the end, the revolution in Iran did not reach its expectations of bringing the country together and solving the problems it faced. As Bayani puts it, "It went from bad to worse. The economy is so bad, and everything is so expensive…people just hardly make it." Bayani claims that in her trips back home since the revolution, she thinks there is more poverty now then there was then.

The revolution in Iran had no positive outcomes. Many of the things that have been brought by the revolution are negative, such as less freedom for its own citizens, and an economy that is still as weak as it was before. It changed many lives, including my mothers, and it could have been prevented.