The commemoration of the Islamic Revolution and the struggle for power in Iran

In Iran the Islamic Revolution (1979) is the most significant political development in the second half of the twentieth century and the event which led to the formation of the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is commemorated annually with a march to the Freedom Square (Meidan-e Azadi) in Tehran and a speech from the Iranian president.

This year the commemoration took place in a very tense political atmosphere. In the aftermath of the June 2009 Iranian elections and the dispute about the outcome of the vote by the reformists, there has been a series of violent demonstrations between conservatives and reformists on the occasion of various political and religious commemorations. This time Ayattollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the only politician with considerable influence on both camps, encouraged the participation of both conservative and reformists in the march. Being in accord with the Supreme Leader Ayyatollah Ali Khamenei, Rafsanjani appeared conciliatory and participated in the march. The reformist leaders discouraged any demonstration of their followers and participated in the march too. They kept a low profile and distanced themselves from any violent demonstrations that may have erupted by anti-regime groups and reformist followers who have gone out of control.

Contrary to previous demonstrations the neutral stance of the reformists in combination with the draconian measures on behalf of the government resulted in a non-violent demonstration. The reformists marched peacefully and demonstrated calmly against the current government with uttering slogans in the Tehran subway and during the march. The assault against Mehdi Karroubi’s car during the march reminded the tense political situation, posing questions about the identity and political orientation of the assailants, i.e. whether they were conservatives or anti-regime supporters.

Due to the fundamental significance of the commemoration of the Islamic Revolution for the political life of Iran today, the mediator Rafsanjani and the reformist party avoided confrontation with the conservatives in order not to be accused by their adversaries for taking advantage of such an event for ephemeral political gains. The relatively peaceful and neutral co-existence of reformists and conservatives in a political demonstration of this magnitude was the result of Rafsanjani’s personal and shrewd mediation and constitutes an important event for future political developments in Iran. Whether this event becomes the first step for the creation of a communication channel and dialogue for resolving the crisis between the two streams of the system will depend on the commitment of both sides to the principles of the Islamic Revolution and the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.