Iran Revolution and New Era Ahead

The 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the 2500-year-old monarchy, had been inherently unpredictable.

It has survived for 30 years. It has weathered innumerable crises, and stands strong irrespective of the fact that its credentials and achievements are contested at home and abroad. Today, the revolution is at a crossroads.

For the first time since the fall of Reza Shah Pehlavi, the US, Iran’s strongest adversary, has come forward with an olive branch leaving Teheran with little choice on the future course of relations with Washington and the West.

This anniversary of the revolution will long be remembered for two transformative political changes in the United States and Iran.

Barack Obama, the first black US President and one who had campaigned for a renewed understanding with the Muslim world, has already extended his hand of friendship to Teheran. Obama’s desire for improving relations with Iran has come despite concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme and its anti-Zionist rhetoric.

Iran’s upcoming presidential election in June, however, might provide an opening for US-Iran rapprochement. Treading a cautious path, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says a dialogue with Washington cannot be ruled out ‘under equal conditions”. Ahmadinejad faces reformist cleric and former president Mohammad Khatami, who favoured a détente with the West during his 1997-2005 rule, which makes it very likely that the issue of US-Iranian relations may be a huge campaign issue, albeit a delicate one.

Now is the time for Teheran to reciprocate Washington’s overtures by rising above political expediency for a new era of peace and partnership in the Middle East. Normalising ties with the US will not only come as a psychological relief for the regime, which was once part of Washington’s axis of evil, but also help promote peace in the region, especially the Middle East.

Once Washington and Teheran are on talking terms, it could act as a great leverage in overcoming the crisis of confidence in resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict. It could also herald a new era of cooperation, which is incidentally part of Obama administration’s thrust for winning over the Muslim world.

As it marks the 30th anniversary of the revolution, Iran must explore a new way ahead that ensures peace and prosperity of its people, as well as the region at large. The people of Iran have sacrificed a great deal to come this far. They deserve better than the current status quo.