Decisive Crackdown and Concluding Remarks

Abstract

The events discussed below refer to an intensely dynamic Iranian society, especially with regard to political movements. The political status of contemporary Iran has been uniquely fragile, influenced by politicians, the clergy and popular movements. Reforms were much needed at the time (and are needed at present too) to keep pace with globalisation and the effects of extremism. The significant lesson from Mosaddeq’s time is that great powers constantly strive to maintain their hegemony. Although Iranian aspirations were high and their leader did his utmost to establish an independent government, several actors contributed to his ouster after a coup. Self-serving opportunists from various groups, under the influence of subtle British interferences returned the ‘old royalist guard’ to power. The clergy, who naively replaced national aspirations with the age-old religious ploy attended by traditional elite, played a crucial role. Thus, the ultimate challenge Iranians still face is accomplishing their dream of becoming a modern democratic and progressive nation. New developments since the 1980s have offered much optimism and hope for freedom and prosperity through revolution, even if they were short-lived. Since the late twentieth century to the present, reformist movements tried to offer better prospects.