Capitulation and the Fall of the Shah

TEHRAN (Iran News) In October 1964 (Mehr 1343), the Iranian government of the time, headed by Prime Minister Hassan Ali Mansour, passed a bill through the National Consultative Assembly granting judicial immunity to Americans residing in Iran, including both military and civilian advisors. This action meant the acceptance of American political and legal dominance over Iran and represented a clear violation of Iran’s national sovereignty.

Imam Khomeini (may God bless him), who was residing in Qom at the time, immediately reacted after the bill’s approval. On November 4, 1964 (Aban 4, 1343), in a historic and powerful speech, he fiercely protested against this “document of the Iranian nation’s enslavement.” With great courage, he strongly criticized the Iranian government and the Shah personally, revealing that this immunity meant the deprivation of the Iranian people’s sovereignty and submission to the United States.

This courageous and fiery speech enraged the Pahlavi regime and the U.S. Embassy in Iran. As a result, following a decision by the Shah and the United States, SAVAK arrested Imam Khomeini (RA) on November 5, 1964 (Aban 13, 1343) and exiled him—first to Turkey, and later, through the arrangements made by the religious seminary and influential mediation within the royal court, to Najaf Ashraf in Iraq. This exile lasted for about 14 years.

The exile of Imam Khomeini (RA) on November 5, 1964, was the direct consequence of his exposure of and protest against the Capitulation Law. This event became a major turning point in the Iranian people’s struggle against the Pahlavi regime and global imperialism, demonstrating the courage and insight of the Imam (RA) in defending Iran’s independence and dignity.

For this reason, the 13th of Aban has been designated in the calendar of the Islamic Republic of Iran as the “National Day of Fighting Global Arrogance.”

In a broader historical view, it can be clearly stated that by following the United States and short-sightedly exiling Imam Khomeini (RA), the Shah not only brought about his own downfall but also lit the spark of the Islamic Revolution led by the Imam (RA).