Appointment of Mehdi Bazargan as prime minister of the Interim Government of Iran

On Saturday, 4 February 1979, Imam Khomeini appointed Mehdi Bazargan the Prime Minister of the Interim Government. With Shah’s departure on January 16 and vote of confidence of the two Majlises to Bakhtiar cabinet, Imam Khomeini struck the first blow on Bakhtiar cabinet and asked all strikers in public sector not to admit illegal ministers into ministries. The act weakened and frustrated Bakhtiar.
The second blow was also Imam’s return on February 1, despite all obstructions done by Bakhtiar. The third blow on half-dead body of the illegal cabinet of Bakhtiar was Imam Khomeini’s speech in Behesht Zahra cemetery in which Imam promised, “I’ll determine government. I’ll slap this government in the mouth.
Two days later an important meeting was held with the presence of the members of Council on Islamic Revolution at Alavi School which lasted till 11 pm. In this session Engineer Bazargan was appointed the Prime Minister. The following day a ceremony was held at amphitheatre of Alavi School in which Bazargan formally was announced the Prime Minister of the Interim Government. The ceremony began at 5:30 pm with Imam Khomeini’s words at the presence of many inner and foreign reporters.
Imam Khomeini emphasized in a part of his speech that Bazargan was appointed proposed by Council on Islamic Revolution and added, “He will choose the ministers of his cabinet and then introduce them to us, so that the Council on Islamic Revolution, at whose suggestion we have elected Mr. Bazargan as the chairman of the government, to investigate his proposals. God willing, everything will be done smoothly and at ease.”?
Then he implicitly warned Bakhtiar from opposition to the Interim Government. Then Hojatoleslam Hashemi Rafsanjani read the appointment decree issued by imam. It had come in the message, “At the suggestion of the Council on Islamic Revolution and regardless of party relationships and affinity to special groups, I appoint you the authority to establish the Interim Government.”? The decree also includes the tasks of the Interim Government: attending the affairs of the country, holding referendum on regime change, establishment of Assembly of Experts for adoption of the Constitution and holding of parliamentary elections.
Then, Engineer Bazargan praised God and thanked Imam and People and described his duty the most difficult task and duty that has ever given one during the 72 years of Iranian Constitution. Then Imam Khomeini related some words asking people to express their opinion towards Bazargan via demonstration.
Then he answered 3 questions of reporters on positions of the Army, Bakhtiar and the current constitution. The next day Bazargan moved to the place of committee for welcoming Imam Khomeini and by transferring his necessary tools for life to Alavi School settled in practice in that two places. Upon Imam’s request, people held widespread rallies in support for Bazargan in Tehran and other cities.
The Society of the Clergy called for a great rally on February 8, which was unprecedentedly welcomed by people who had come to give vote of confidence to the government appointed by Imam Khomeini. With overthrow of the Pahlavi Regime on February 11, Bazargan cabinet was gradually completed, but with passage of time he and his administration diverged from the ideals of people and so he eventually abdicated after 9 months subsequent to seizure of the US den of espionage in Tehran. But, there were figures like Dr. Chamran who refused to abdicate saying that they would not forsake Imam.
The following is the text of Imam’s decree on Prime Ministership of Bazargan which was read by Hojatoleslam Hashemi Rafsanjani:
“In the name of God; The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Your Excellency Engineer Mehdi Bazargan,

Based on the proposal of the Council on Islamic Revolution and in accordance with the canonical and legal rights that originated from the vote of overwhelming majority of the Iranian nation for leadership of the movement, which has been evidenced by the vast gatherings and wide and numerous demonstrations across Iran, and because of my utmost trust in your firm belief in the holy tenets of Islam and my knowledge of your precedent in Islamic and national struggles; I appoint you the authority to establish an interim government without consideration of any affiliation to parties or dependence on any factional groups, for formation of a temporary government to arrange for the organization of national affairs and especially to perform a referendum and refer to a national public vote the issues of turning the country into an Islamic republic and the formation of “The Council of the Founders”? from the representatives of the people to approve the constitution of the new regime, and to hold elections for representatives of a national parliament on the basis of the new constitution.
It is necessary that you appoint and introduce the members of the temporary government as soon as possible in concordance with the conditions I have clarified. All public officials, the army, and citizens shall provide their utmost cooperation with your interim government so as to attain the high and holy goals of this Islamic revolution and to restore order and function to the affairs of the nation. I pray to God for the success of you and your interim government in this sensitive juncture of our nation’s history.
Ruhollah Al-Musavi al-Khomeini”?

Then Imam Khomeini delivered a short speech with this theme, “In the Name of God; the most Gracious, the most Merciful. After thanking Iranian people who have suffered a lot and tolerated a lot during this long period and who have served Islam by offering their blood the point that I want to demand is to express their ideas about Engineer Bazargan’s government which is now a legal and lawful government. I’d like them to express their ideas about the Islamic government of Mr. Bazargan both via the press and peaceful demonstration in cities and villages and wherever there are Muslims.”? Then, Imam Khomeini answered the questions of reporters.
Question: “Mr. Ayatollah! You have said that you warn those who do not accept this government and obey it that they would be harshly punished. If the Army does not accept, what do you predict and what will you do?
Answer: “The Army won’t do so and if they do so, they will be punished by God firstly. When appropriate, secondly, we will execute the punishment Islamic law has determined and if God forbidden they do so, we declare now.”?
Question: “Given close connection of Ayatolla with Mr. Bazargan… and also with Bakhtiar, what position does or will Bakhtiar take in face of announcement of this Islamic Republic?
Answer: “If they are both wise and fond of the country they must be peacemakers; but if they are traitors and want to betray, it is not taken into their own hands.”?
Question: “In your opinion, is the Constitution of 1906 illegal or it can provide a framework for the transitional period? Answer: “This Constitution would survive as long as the nation has not voted against, except for those numerous articles which have been included in by force.”?

On Saturday, 4 February 1979, Imam Khomeini appointed Mehdi Bazargan the Prime Minister of the Interim Government. With Shah’s departure on January 16 and vote of confidence of the two Majlises to Bakhtiar cabinet, Imam Khomeini struck the first blow on Bakhtiar cabinet and asked all strikers in public sector not to admit illegal ministers into ministries. The act weakened and frustrated Bakhtiar. The second blow was also Imam’s return on February 1, despite all obstructions done by Bakhtiar. The third blow on half-dead body of the illegal cabinet of Bakhtiar was Imam Khomeini’s speech in Behesht Zahra cemetery in which Imam promised, “I’ll determine government. I’ll slap this government in the mouth. Two days later an important meeting was held with the presence of the members of Council on Islamic Revolution at Alavi School which lasted till 11 pm. In this session Engineer Bazargan was appointed the Prime Minister. The following day a ceremony was held at amphitheatre of Alavi School in which Bazargan formally was announced the Prime Minister of the Interim Government. The ceremony began at 5:30 pm with Imam Khomeini’s words at the presence of many inner and foreign reporters. Imam Khomeini emphasized in a part of his speech that Bazargan was appointed proposed by Council on Islamic Revolution and added, “He will choose the ministers of his cabinet and then introduce them to us, so that the Council on Islamic Revolution, at whose suggestion we have elected Mr. Bazargan as the chairman of the government, to investigate his proposals. God willing, everything will be done smoothly and at ease.”? Then he implicitly warned Bakhtiar from opposition to the Interim Government. Then Hojatoleslam Hashemi Rafsanjani read the appointment decree issued by imam. It had come in the message, “At the suggestion of the Council on Islamic Revolution and regardless of party relationships and affinity to special groups, I appoint you the authority to establish the Interim Government.”? The decree also includes the tasks of the Interim Government: attending the affairs of the country, holding referendum on regime change, establishment of Assembly of Experts for adoption of the Constitution and holding of parliamentary elections. Then, Engineer Bazargan praised God and thanked Imam and People and described his duty the most difficult task and duty that has ever given one during the 72 years of Iranian Constitution. Then Imam Khomeini related some words asking people to express their opinion towards Bazargan via demonstration. Then he answered 3 questions of reporters on positions of the Army, Bakhtiar and the current constitution. The next day Bazargan moved to the place of committee for welcoming Imam Khomeini and by transferring his necessary tools for life to Alavi School settled in practice in that two places. Upon Imam’s request, people held widespread rallies in support for Bazargan in Tehran and other cities. The Society of the Clergy called for a great rally on February 8, which was unprecedentedly welcomed by people who had come to give vote of confidence to the government appointed by Imam Khomeini. With overthrow of the Pahlavi Regime on February 11, Bazargan cabinet was gradually completed, but with passage of time he and his administration diverged from the ideals of people and so he eventually abdicated after 9 months subsequent to seizure of the US den of espionage in Tehran. But, there were figures like Dr. Chamran who refused to abdicate saying that they would not forsake Imam. The following is the text of Imam’s decree on Prime Ministership of Bazargan which was read by Hojatoleslam Hashemi Rafsanjani: “In the name of God; The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Your Excellency Engineer Mehdi Bazargan, Based on the proposal of the Council on Islamic Revolution and in accordance with the canonical and legal rights that originated from the vote of overwhelming majority of the Iranian nation for leadership of the movement, which has been evidenced by the vast gatherings and wide and numerous demonstrations across Iran, and because of my utmost trust in your firm belief in the holy tenets of Islam and my knowledge of your precedent in Islamic and national struggles; I appoint you the authority to establish an interim government without consideration of any affiliation to parties or dependence on any factional groups, for formation of a temporary government to arrange for the organization of national affairs and especially to perform a referendum and refer to a national public vote the issues of turning the country into an Islamic republic and the formation of “The Council of the Founders”? from the representatives of the people to approve the constitution of the new regime, and to hold elections for representatives of a national parliament on the basis of the new constitution. It is necessary that you appoint and introduce the members of the temporary government as soon as possible in concordance with the conditions I have clarified. All public officials, the army, and citizens shall provide their utmost cooperation with your interim government so as to attain the high and holy goals of this Islamic revolution and to restore order and function to the affairs of the nation. I pray to God for the success of you and your interim government in this sensitive juncture of our nation’s history. Ruhollah Al-Musavi al-Khomeini”? Then Imam Khomeini delivered a short speech with this theme, “In the Name of God; the most Gracious, the most Merciful. After thanking Iranian people who have suffered a lot and tolerated a lot during this long period and who have served Islam by offering their blood the point that I want to demand is to express their ideas about Engineer Bazargan’s government which is now a legal and lawful government. I’d like them to express their ideas about the Islamic government of Mr. Bazargan both via the press and peaceful demonstration in cities and villages and wherever there are Muslims.”? Then, Imam Khomeini answered the questions of reporters. Question: “Mr. Ayatollah! You have said that you warn those who do not accept this government and obey it that they would be harshly punished. If the Army does not accept, what do you predict and what will you do? Answer: “The Army won’t do so and if they do so, they will be punished by God firstly. When appropriate, secondly, we will execute the punishment Islamic law has determined and if God forbidden they do so, we declare now.”? Question: “Given close connection of Ayatolla with Mr. Bazargan… and also with Bakhtiar, what position does or will Bakhtiar take in face of announcement of this Islamic Republic? Answer: “If they are both wise and fond of the country they must be peacemakers; but if they are traitors and want to betray, it is not taken into their own hands.”? Question: “In your opinion, is the Constitution of 1906 illegal or it can provide a framework for the transitional period? Answer: “This Constitution would survive as long as the nation has not voted against, except for those numerous articles which have been included in by force.”?