Ayatollah Khomeini: The Making of a Revolutionary Leader Through Contemporary Accounts

In the winter of 1978, Iran was convulsing. Strikes paralyzed the oil fields, millions marched in the streets of Tehran and other cities, and the long reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi teetered. The man who had become the symbol of the opposition, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, sat in exile in a small Parisian suburb, issuing pronouncements that were copied and distributed across Iran. The New York Times on December 17, 1978, ran a feature titled “Iran: Making of a Revolution,” describing the upheaval with a mixture of alarm and fascination. The article quoted a 21-year-old Iranian who warned, “You must be careful,” capturing the tension that hung over the country. For many Iranians, Khomeini was a saintly father figure; for the Shah’s government, he was a dangerous agitator. This article reconstructs how Khomeini became that leader, drawing on contemporary newspaper reports, eyewitness accounts, and biographical writings from the era.

What Happened?

Ruhollah Khomeini was born around 1902 in the small town of Khomein, deep in central Iran’s semi-arid plains. According to biographer Baqer Moin, writing in Khomeini: Life of the Ayatollah, the town was “no more than a large village with a population of around 2,000 divided into 800 households.” It had a main street, a shrine, three caravanserais, and three bathhouses, and was threatened by marauding Lurs until the 1920s. Khomeini was a sayyed, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, and his father was murdered when he was young, leaving him an orphan. He studied theology in Qom and by the 1950s had become a prominent religious teacher.

His political activism intensified in the early 1960s. In 1963, he spoke out against the Shah’s “White Revolution,” a program of land reform and modernization that Khomeini saw as undermining Islam. He was arrested, triggering riots, and was eventually exiled in 1964. He moved to Iraq, then in 1978 to France. From Paris, he coordinated a growing opposition movement, using cassette tapes of his sermons and telephone interviews to reach millions of Iranians.

The revolution gained momentum through 1978. The New York Times article of December 17, 1978, described the situation: “Iran: Making of a Revolution” was published just weeks before the Shah fled. The article noted the widespread strikes and demonstrations, and the Shah’s attempts to placate the opposition. By January 1979, the Shah left Iran, and on February 1, 1979, Khomeini returned to Tehran to a rapturous welcome. The monarchy collapsed, and Khomeini assumed leadership of a new Islamic Republic.

How It Was Seen at the Time

Contemporary observers were divided. The New York Times article from December 17, 1978, portrayed the revolution as a complex and dangerous upheaval. It quoted a 21-year-old who said, “You must be careful,” a warning that reflected the uncertainty and fear of the time. The article also expressed surprise that a religious figure could lead such a political movement. The mood among the opposition was hopeful but tense; many believed that the Shah’s departure would bring democracy and social justice. Others, especially the Shah’s supporters, feared a return to religious orthodoxy.

Eyewitness Desmond Harney, a British banker who lived in Tehran, wrote in his memoir The Priest and the King (published later but based on his diary from the time) about the confusion and optimism of the street demonstrations. He described the mix of religious fervor and political anger, noting how the crowds saw Khomeini as a savior. The language used by contemporaries was often apocalyptic: “The spirit of Allah” was a phrase used by Amir Taheri in his 1985 biography, reflecting the religious dimension of the revolution.

Historical Snapshot

Contemporary Newspaper Coverage

The New York Times played a significant role in shaping international understanding of Khomeini. On December 17, 1978, the newspaper published a feature titled “Iran: Making of a Revolution” (Section SM, Page 12). The article described the chaos in Iran, the strikes, and the growing influence of Khomeini, who was then in exile in France. The tone was analytical but anxious, with the reporter noting that the Shah’s government was losing control. The article quoted a young Iranian who said, “You must be careful,” indicating the danger of the times. The Times also reported on Khomeini’s speeches, which were often broadcast on cassette tapes and smuggled into Iran. These tapes were a key medium for his message, as described in later accounts.

“You must be careful,” the 21-year-old said. — New York Times, December 17, 1978

Other newspapers, such as the Washington Post and Le Monde, also covered the revolution, but the Times article is notable for its attempt to explain the “making of a revolution” to an American audience.

Eyewitness Accounts

Desmond Harney, a British banker who lived in Tehran during the revolution, provided a detailed eyewitness account in his book The Priest and the King: An Eyewitness Account of the Iranian Revolution. Harney described the demonstrations of 1978, the general strikes, and the overwhelming support for Khomeini among the masses. He wrote about the contrast between the modernizing Shah and the religious leader who promised a return to Islamic values. Harney also noted the fear and confusion of the foreign community, many of whom did not understand the depth of the opposition.

“The crowds were not just the poor; they included the middle classes, the merchants, and even some military officers. They all spoke of Khomeini as the only one who could end the tyranny.” — Desmond Harney, The Priest and the King

Another contemporary account comes from Amir Taheri’s biography The Spirit of Allah (1985), which, while written after the revolution, drew on interviews and documents from the time. Taheri described Khomeini’s early life, including a proposed marriage to a wealthy family in Arak when Khomeini was about twenty. The offer was tempting, but Khomeini declined, choosing to pursue his religious studies. This detail, from the book, gives a glimpse into his character.

What People Knew at the Time

What People Expected Would Happen Next

In late 1978, many observers expected that the Shah would step down and that a moderate government would take over. The New York Times article of December 17, 1978, suggested that the Shah might be able to stay if he made concessions. Many Iranians expected that Khomeini would return and lead a democratic government, with the clergy playing a moral but not political role. However, as events unfolded, Khomeini’s supporters pushed for an Islamic Republic, which was established after a referendum in March 1979. The expectations of democracy were largely disappointed, as the new regime became increasingly authoritarian.

Conclusion

Contemporary accounts from 1978–79 show a world in transition, where a religious leader emerged as the focal point of a mass uprising. The New York Times, Harney, and Taheri all captured the raw energy and uncertainty of the moment. They reveal that Khomeini was not merely a religious figure but a political force whose ideas resonated with millions. The primary sources of that era—newspapers, diaries, and biographies—allow us to see the revolution not as a predetermined outcome but as a contingent, human drama. They remind us that history is lived forward, with fear, hope, and misunderstanding, and that only in hindsight do we see the shape of what was to come.