How Did Khomeini Use the Hostage Crisis to Consolidate Power

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Khomeini exploited the hostage crisis to move against his political rivals. The nature and structure of the Islamic Republic was still rather undefined when Khomeini took over in 1979. He then set about completely redrafting this constitution, enshrining the rule of the Islamic juris in that constitution. This process very much kind of continues as time goes on with what violence has marginalized push for change.

Featuring Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi and Golnar Nikpour on the history of modern Iran. This is the fourth episode in what is now a FIVE-part series. We pick up in the wake of the Islamic Revolution as Khomeini consolidates power, represses his rivals, and confronts an invasion from Saddam Hussein's Iraq. We continue through the Iran-Iraq War, the mass execution of thousands of leftist prisoners, and Khamenei and Rafsanjani's rise to power after Khomeini's death. Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Check out our vast archives and newsletter at thedigradio.com