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In one execution spree in 1988, Khomeini’s government put to death thousands of political prisoners.

“In one execution spree, in 1988, Khomeini’s government put to death thousands of political prisoners”

Human Rights Watch reports “between 2,800 and 5,000” political prisoners were killed.

“Human Rights Watch reports “between 2,800 and 5,000,””

Ali Khamenei ranks among the world’s oldest and longest-serving heads of state.

“Today, Khamenei ranks among the world’s oldest and longest-serving heads of state.”

He was a scholar of Islamic law in his late seventies who hadn’t set foot in Iran for nearly fifteen years.

“He was a scholar of Islamic law in his late seventies who hadn’t set foot in Iran for nearly fifteen years.”

Rebellion crescendoed throughout 1978, prompting the Shah to institute martial law in twelve cities on September 8th.

“Rebellion crescendoed throughout 1978, prompting the Shah to institute martial law in twelve cities on September 8th.”

“In these moments of rising against foreign domination, tyranny, and corruption, I stand by your side.”

Women were purged from positions of power and forced to wear hijabs.

“Women were purged from positions of power and forced to wear hijabs.”

“This mullah, Khomeini, is causing problems for you, and for me, and for all of us,” Saddam reportedly said.

““This mullah, Khomeini, is causing problems for you, and for me, and for all of us,” Saddam reportedly said.”

That day, now known as Black Friday, soldiers fired on a large demonstration, killing two or three hundred people.

“That day, now known as Black Friday, soldiers fired on a large demonstration, killing two or three hundred people.”

In late 1978, Ali Mirsepassi spoke in favor of prolonging a university strike.

“In late 1978, Ali Mirsepassi spoke in favor of prolonging a university strike.”

Revolutions are unsettling affairs, Kurzman, the sociologist, notes.

“Revolutions are unsettling affairs, Kurzman, the sociologist, notes.”

People don’t know how to act, so they take cues from their neighbors or react to their opponents.

“People don’t know how to act, so they take cues from their neighbors or react to their opponents.”

Even being near a protest could mean prison.

“Even being near a protest could mean prison.”