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Khomeini's Focus on Mahdi
- Ayatollah Khomeini prioritized the return of the Mahdi, even at the cost of many lives.
- He was willing to accept hundreds of thousands of deaths to hasten the Mahdi's return.
Revolution or Counter-Revolution?
- The 1979 Iranian Revolution can be considered a counter-revolution against the Shah's modernization efforts.
- However, the resulting state, while theocratic, also possesses modern totalitarian characteristics.
Uprising of High Expectations
- The Shah's rapid economic growth raised expectations but ultimately led to instability and unrest.
- This "uprising of high expectations" created an opportunity for revolution.