COLOMBO : The first decade of the month of Bahman of every year[1] and Mid-Khordad of every Solar Year[2] marks the reminiscence of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hazrat Imam Khomeini(PBUH). The 14th of Khordad of Solar Year[3] is the anniversary of the demise of a great man who led the last classic and unbelievable revolution in the world, and in the tumult of isms and material beliefs, brought meaning to the middle of the equations of politics and land.
The 15th of Khordad of the Solar Year (5th of June) marks the Khordad Uprising with the leadership of this supreme Shiite Marja(“source of emulation”)[4] which was, in fact, a turning point in the revolutionary movement of Imam Khomeini(PBUH).Valuable texts have been written, interpreted and analyzed about different dimensions and the inclusion of personality of Hazrat Imam Khomeini(PBUH) with the aim of addressing his views and thoughts on the issue of foreign policy. Since this issue is far beyond the scope of our knowledge, this short article is merely a ray of sunshine and claims to be no more.
Part of Hazrat Imam Khomeini(PBUH) youth coincided with the sharp rise of Qajar rule and the transformation of Iran into an arena of invasion and plunder of Iran by major powers and foreign countries. In the post-revolution years, he emphasized his embodied memories from the time of the First World War; he witnessed the invasion and plunder of the Russian and British armies and also the Ottomans in the Kamareh[5] and Khomeyn[6] regions, and that how the reluctance and subjugation of the indecisive and, to some extent, mercenary rulers in Tehran ruined and bankrupted the will of the Iranians. Therefore, in his thought, which was rooted in religious thought, the rule of ” And never will God allow those who deny the truth to harm the believers”[7], established the basis of foreign relations of an Islamic territory.
Hazrat Imam Khomeini (PBUH) during his revolutionary struggles repeatedly warned the Shah against the domination of the heretical Baha’i sect and Israel over the rule of Iran. Attention to foreign relations of the country has been present in his thoughts and words since the beginning of the struggle. During the passage of the capitulation bill in the time of the premiership of Hassan Ali Mansour[8], which was the culmination of commitment and surrender of the country’s independence and affairs to a foreign country, the fiery words by Hazrat Imam Khomeini (PBUH) was the starting point of the revelation against Pahlavi’s submissive and obedient forging policy which crystalized in resounding slogan of “Neither East nor West, Islamic Republic.”
Islamic dignity and national independence may be a more prominent part of the life of Imam Khomeini’s thought in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The fact that self-confidence and belief in the fulfillment of divine promises in connection with the background and dignity of the Iranian people has led to the adoption of a unique and independent policy in all the years after the victory of Imam Khomeini’s movement is rooted in his comprehensive thinking.
Supporting and standing by the oppressed and rebelling against arrogance and the causes of the weakness of nations have been Imam Khomeini’s emphasis in foreign policy. Prior to the victory of the Islamic Revolution, acts such as standing by the United States and becoming a stooge and henchman by sending troops to Dhofar Oman and selling oil to the occupying regime is a perfect symbol of that special action in foreign policy that Imam Khomeini strongly opposed. With the victory of the Islamic Revolution, standing by the Palestinian cause and supporting the oppressed and making all decisions in Tehran were clear symbols of the founding thought of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of foreign policy.
