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"Captive to the Demonology of the Iranian Mobs": U.S. Foreign Policy and Perceptions of Shi’a Islam During the Iranian Revolution, 1978-79

Biglari, Mattin

Authors

Mattin Biglari



Abstract

Making use of recently declassified documents, in this article I examine the U.S. government’s perceptions about Shi’a Islam during the time of the Iranian revolution, 1978–9. I show how lower ranking officials in diplomatic and intelligence circles came to the common conception of Shi’ism as being a uniquely populist religion with an inherent propensity towards revolutionary instability, as demonstrated in its doctrines, rituals and history. These perceptions influenced higher levels of government, including President Carter himself. I then explore how analysts and policymakers conceptualized the religious leadership in Iran, especially Khomeini. I show that although opinion was divided about whether Khomeini represented U.S. interests, the prevailing view was to oppose him because of his populist tendencies empowering the Iranian masses, which senior policymakers had come to see as integral to Shi’ism itself. As a result, I argue, although the wider Cold War context dictated the U.S. government’s attempt to maintain diplomatic relations with the new Iranian regime in 1979, this was to be done without overtures to Khomeini, long before the Hostage Crisis.

Citation

Biglari, M. (2015). "Captive to the Demonology of the Iranian Mobs": U.S. Foreign Policy and Perceptions of Shi’a Islam During the Iranian Revolution, 1978-79. Diplomatic History, 40(4), 579-605. https://doi.org/10.1093/dh/dhv034

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 31, 2013
Publication Date Jul 31, 2015
Deposit Date Feb 18, 2023
Publicly Available Date Aug 1, 2115
Journal Diplomatic History
Print ISSN 0145-2096
Electronic ISSN 1467-7709
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 40
Issue 4
Pages 579-605
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/dh/dhv034
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/dh/article-abstract/40/4/579/1745294

Files

This file is under embargo until Aug 1, 2115 due to copyright reasons.

Contact outputs@soas.ac.uk to request a copy for personal use.




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