IRAN APCG

Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud

president of Iran fromm 2005-2013

Ashura

the most important Shia religious holiday commenrating the death of huseein, the grandson of the prophey muhammad

assembly of experts

elected body that chooses the supreme leader

ayatollahs

in Shiite Islam, a title in the religious hierarchy by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion

Basij

“Peoples militia”, which serves as public moral police

chief justice

head of the judiciary

constitutional revolution

1905-06 uprising against Qajar dynasty by secular and religious leaders to limit the power of the monarchy and western imperialism

expediency council

appointed body that mediates between the majlis and the guardian council over legislative disputes

farsi

language of iran

guardian council

appointed body that vets cadidates for office and can overturn legislature

imams

descendants of the prophet Muhammad considered by the Shia to be true political religious leaders of Iran

iraq-iran war

1980-88 war between the two countries, started by iraq

Islamic republic of Iran

name for revolutionary Iran

Islamism/ Islamic fundamentalism

belief that Islam should be the source of the political regime

Khamenei, Ali

current supreme leader of Iran as of 1989

Khatami, Mohammad

president of Iran from 1997-2005

Khomeini, Ruhollah

first supreme leader from 1980 - 1989

koran

central holy book

Majil

legislature of Iran

Mahdi

hidden Imman, term from Shiism

Mosaddeq, Mohammad

prime minister of Iran, disposed in 1953 by operation Ajax

Muhammad

main prophet of islam

national front

political party in Iran following WW2 it opposes the monarchy and favored a greater Iranian control over natural resources, outlawed after operation Ajax

Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza,

monarch of Iran 1941—1979

Pahlavi, Reza Shah

monarch of Islam before 1935

Persia

name for Iran before 1935

president

head of government in Iran

principalist

term for political conservatives in Iran who oppose liberalization and political reform

quietist

description of view within Shiism that rejects theocracy and the direct role of religion in the state

rafsanji

president of Iran from 1989-1997

Revolutionary Guard

paramilitary force charged with defending the regime from domestic and internal enemies

i will get an A

i will get an A

SAVAK

secret police

Second Khordad Front

reformist alliance that emerged in Iran to contest the 2000 Majli elections

Sharia

system of Islamic law

Shiism

minority sect of Islam that differs from Sunnism over the rightful heir and proper descendants of the prophet Muhammad

supreme leader

chief spiritual and political leader of Iran

theocracy

rule by religion or religious leaders

Ummah

literally “community”, meant to refer to the nation or islamic communities everywhere

Velayat-e faqih

rule by Islamic jurists which places power in the hands of clerics

white revolutioj

reforms enacted by Mohammed Reza Pahlavi beginning in 1963 to rapidly modernize and westernize Iran

When did the Shah leave Iran

 January 16, 1979, as the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini gained momentum.

Where did the shah go, why?

Egypt on January 17, 1979, after being allowed by the U.S. to leave for medical treatment. From Egypt, he traveled to Morocco and later to Mexico. His departure was part of an agreement that allowed him to leave Iran to seek medical treatment and avoid the revolutionaries' wrath. The U.S. allowed this to maintain a semblance of stability and avoid further unrest.

What happened Feb 1, 1979?

 Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years of exile, marking the final stage of the Iranian Revolution. His return was a symbol of the victory of the revolution and the collapse of the Pahlavi regime.

What happened in Tehran on Feb. 14, 1979?

the U.S. embassy in Tehran was seized by revolutionary forces. The U.S. diplomats were taken hostage, marking a significant escalation in the revolution and the growing antagonism between Iran and the US

When did the nation vote on theocracy

March 30–31, 1979, and the vote overwhelmingly favored the establishment of an Islamic Republic with 98% in favor.

November of 1979? How long?

 U.S. embassy in Tehran was stormed by Iranian militants, and 52 American diplomats were taken hostage. This crisis lasted for 444 days, until January 20, 1981.

September, 1980?

Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran, initiating the Iran-Iraq War. The war lasted for eight years until a ceasefire was brokered in 1988.

fear that caused iran-iraq war

Saddam Hussein feared the spread of Islamic revolution from Iran to Iraq, particularly the Shiite majority in Iraq, which might lead to internal unrest. He also sought to weaken Iran, which was in disarray following the revolution.

What is the Basij

paramilitary volunteer militia founded in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution. Initially, there were around 1 million members, but it later grew to much larger numbers. The Basij played a key role in maintaining internal order and suppressing dissent.

Iran-Contra Affair

political scandal in the mid-1980s involving the illegal sale of arms to Iran (which was under an arms embargo) by the U.S. government. The proceeds from the sales were then used to fund Nicaraguan Contras (anti-Sandinista rebels), in violation of U.S. law. The scandal severely damaged the reputation of the Reagan administration

IRGC - Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

founded in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution to protect the new Islamic Republic and counter any internal or external threats. It was established by Ayatollah Khomeini as a force loyal to the Supreme Leader, distinct from the regular Iranian military

The Basij

a paramilitary volunteer militia, was also formed in 1979 (isn’t actually developed until 1980) and operates under the IRGC. It was mobilized heavily during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), where it became known for using human wave attacks

Over 1 million signed up and 25% died in 4 years

They are the internal police

Basically the morality police

They jump people if they aren’t following the rules well enough (if your hijab is not covering all your hair or if you don't have a beard)

Didn’t have military after the revolution because the military was loyal to the Shah

Difference between Revolutionary Guard and Basij: Guard Corps are paid but Basij are not paid full time

Rentier state

a country that gets a large portion of its income from economic rent paid by foreign entities

Typically through the export of natural resources (like oil) or leasing land/military bases to foreign entities, rather than through productive economic activities like manufacturing or agriculture.

Example: Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia rely on oil revenues, making them rentier states.

Bazaars

Iran’s traditional merchant and trading class, controlling much of the retail and small business sector. They have historically played a major role in Iran’s economy and politics, especially during the 1979 Revolution, when they supported Khomeini. Merchant class in Iran

The Grand Bargain

proposed comprehensive agreement between the U.S. and Iran in 2003, in which Iran offered to negotiate on:

Its nuclear program

Would be proven by sending inspectors in from the IEEA

The Axis of Evil speech

George W. Bush

Labeled Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an “Axis of Evil”

Because they allegedly supported terrorism and developed weapons of mass destruction

Pursuing a delivery device (nuclear weapon)

This speech worsened U.S.-Iran relations, reinforcing Iranian leaders’ belief that the U.S. sought regime change

The JCPOA - Joint Corporate Plan Of Action the nuclear deal

Agreement between Iran, the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, and the EU

Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program (reduce uranium enrichment, dismantle centrifuges, allow inspections).

In return, U.S. and EU sanctions were lifted.

Sanctions:

The U.S. reimposed sanctions in 2018 after Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, targeting Iran’s oil exports, banking, and military sectors.

Iran retaliated by resuming uranium enrichment, bringing the deal into crisis

Types of Islamic Veils

1. Hijab – A general term for headscarves that cover the hair, neck, and sometimes shoulders but leave the face visible.

2. Chador – A full-body cloak that leaves the face uncovered, common in Iran.

3. Niqab – A face-covering veil that leaves only the eyes visible, worn with a separate headscarf.

4. Burqa – A full-body covering with a mesh screen over the eyes, most common in Afghanistan.

5. Khimar – A cape-like scarf covering the hair, neck, and shoulders but leaving the face visible.

6. Al-Amira – A two-piece veil consisting of a fitted cap and a separate scarf.

7. Shayla – A long, rectangular scarf wrapped around the head and tucked in.