Khomeini’s painful record emerges on his death anniversary

Noura Bendari

Iranian media is now marking the anniversary of the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, a figurehead of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Iran marks this event every year on June 3 by holding activities at Khomeini’s burial site. Current Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also delivers a speech on this occasion.

The anniversary of the leader of the Islamic Revolution comes this year while Iran battles the coronavirus.

According to the official Iranian news agency, the event was not marked at Khomeini’s tomb this year because of fears from coronavirus infection. Nevertheless, Khamenei delivered a speech that was aired on Iranian state television.

Exporting the revolution

Khomeini, who died in June 1989, was the one who coined the idea of exporting the ideals of the Iranian Islamic revolution. This was Iran’s way for interfering in the affairs of regional states under the pretext of protecting Shiites.

The same policy as behind Iran’s formation or sponsorship of militias in these states, including in Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon.

Khamenei also invented the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist as a policy. This policy turned into a destruction tool for regional states. It opened the door for total obedience to the Iranian supreme guide by all members of the Iranian society and by all the pro-Iran militias in the region.

Khomeini’s dictatorship

Abolhassan Banisadr, the first Iranian president after the 1979 revolution, accused Khomeini of betraying the principles of the Iranian revolution.

He told Reuters that this left a bitter taste in the mouths of Iranians.

Banisadr said he was hoping the Islamic revolution would pave the road for democracy and the protection of human rights in Iran.

This did not, however, happen after the revolution succeeded, he said.