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The Persian Night: Iran under the Khomeinist Revolution
This timely and fast-paced book by celebrated Iranian-born journalist Amir Taheri examines the history of the Khomeinist movement in Iran to show how it is genetically programmed for war. It will also show how Khomeinsim can be defeated, enabling Iran to close the chapter of the revolution and return to the global mainstream. This book is mandatory for anyone concerned about the future of Iran, terrorism, and the prospects for middle east peace.
413 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 21, 2025
This book gives detailed information about the Iranian-Shi'ite-theocratic society since the Khomeini revolution. The book opens up with a very good explanation of what Shi'a Islam is and how it differs with the rest of the Sunni-Muslim world. Overall the author did a great job at explaining the inner workings and cultural complexities to this closed society we know very little about. Though the book only presents information through the Mahmoud Ahmedinejad-era (up until 2009), it is still great. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Middle Eastern affairs and getting further knowledge on the Iranian government. Thanks!
January 8, 2016
An excellent look at the suffering of the Iranian people and what motivates their tyrannical rulers.
Listened to the unabridged audiobook on Audible.com.
Listened to the unabridged audiobook on Audible.com.
September 30, 2018
Khomeini's Republic
A powerful but one sided argument directed against the Khomeinist regime, which doesn't invalidate the reasoning. Taheri, a senior and seasoned Iranian expatriate journalist, thoroughly disects and eviscerates the political framework on which the Revolution is based, claiming that even the name of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a triple lie: That it is not Islamic and is vaguely related to the minority Twelver Cult and that the Supreme Leaders Khomeini and his successor Khameini have been making up religious interpretation as they go along. The Regime's unique and curious structure with the Supreme Leader at the top is a bizarre innovation more resembling Plato's Republic without precedence to any Muslim governance - ever ; That is is not a Republic in the modern sense, rather it is a fascist hierarchy; That is is not Iranian as culturally it has rejected Iran's historical frameworks, even it's 14 centuries of Muslim history, and thinks of itself as IN Iran, but not OF Iran: it's leadership is more interested in exporting revolutionary ideology than the national interests of Iran or the Iranian people. To maintain itself what the regime wants most is not trade nor economic security but affirmation of its political legitimacy.
"We do not recognize a country named Iran. We have an Islamic Republic located in Iran but it belongs to Muslims everywhere." - Khomeini, Feb 1993 on the anniversary of the Revolution, pp56.
Readers will be interested in Taheri's coverage of the political organization of the regime, it's bogey men, largely western powers and the specter of Zionism, the composition of opposition groups and attitudes towards Western and Sunni nations. In the final chapters Taheri extends his arguments for how regime change could be carried out.
The writing is clear, the basic message sound and there are few factual matters I would dispute to any degree. However only some of his assertions are marked by references, most are not, so caution and secondary verification would be recommended, but those I've checked into mostly bear him out. Like many Iranian expats he is bitter over the Revolution and the radical shift in direction to what amounts to a cult of personality. which is not to discount his argument. The basic message is sound - the regime does seek regional if not global hegemony and to the degree that its rulers believe in the millenialist return of the Mahdi, it represents an uncompromising and dangerous zealotry against the existing world world order.
Though published in 2010, the message is timely. To the extent that the regime regards its mission as in sacred terms compromise is problematic. What contradicts this are signs of internal empire building and power struggles within the regime. Aside from Ahmadinijihad being replaced by Rouhani as President, who was Iran's nuclear negotiator in the 1st decade of the 21st century, not much has changed. It anything, matters seem to be coming to a head.
A powerful but one sided argument directed against the Khomeinist regime, which doesn't invalidate the reasoning. Taheri, a senior and seasoned Iranian expatriate journalist, thoroughly disects and eviscerates the political framework on which the Revolution is based, claiming that even the name of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a triple lie: That it is not Islamic and is vaguely related to the minority Twelver Cult and that the Supreme Leaders Khomeini and his successor Khameini have been making up religious interpretation as they go along. The Regime's unique and curious structure with the Supreme Leader at the top is a bizarre innovation more resembling Plato's Republic without precedence to any Muslim governance - ever ; That is is not a Republic in the modern sense, rather it is a fascist hierarchy; That is is not Iranian as culturally it has rejected Iran's historical frameworks, even it's 14 centuries of Muslim history, and thinks of itself as IN Iran, but not OF Iran: it's leadership is more interested in exporting revolutionary ideology than the national interests of Iran or the Iranian people. To maintain itself what the regime wants most is not trade nor economic security but affirmation of its political legitimacy.
"We do not recognize a country named Iran. We have an Islamic Republic located in Iran but it belongs to Muslims everywhere." - Khomeini, Feb 1993 on the anniversary of the Revolution, pp56.
Readers will be interested in Taheri's coverage of the political organization of the regime, it's bogey men, largely western powers and the specter of Zionism, the composition of opposition groups and attitudes towards Western and Sunni nations. In the final chapters Taheri extends his arguments for how regime change could be carried out.
The writing is clear, the basic message sound and there are few factual matters I would dispute to any degree. However only some of his assertions are marked by references, most are not, so caution and secondary verification would be recommended, but those I've checked into mostly bear him out. Like many Iranian expats he is bitter over the Revolution and the radical shift in direction to what amounts to a cult of personality. which is not to discount his argument. The basic message is sound - the regime does seek regional if not global hegemony and to the degree that its rulers believe in the millenialist return of the Mahdi, it represents an uncompromising and dangerous zealotry against the existing world world order.
Though published in 2010, the message is timely. To the extent that the regime regards its mission as in sacred terms compromise is problematic. What contradicts this are signs of internal empire building and power struggles within the regime. Aside from Ahmadinijihad being replaced by Rouhani as President, who was Iran's nuclear negotiator in the 1st decade of the 21st century, not much has changed. It anything, matters seem to be coming to a head.
July 1, 2009
This book is a scathing review of Iran under the revolutionary regime. The author provides insight into the background of Khomeini and his revolution, although the focus is mainly on how he distorts traditional Islamic and Persian culture. The author argues that there remains a Persian culture within Iran that is not in line with the Khomeinist ideology. The book presents more in-depth information than most studies of modern Iran provide. The book's main weakness is that it focuses on the Iranian middle class to the exclusion of other Iranians, and the author may be overstating the support in the country for his views.
August 18, 2009
A well researched, well thought out book. Takes a hard line stance, purporting that Iran is a fascist regime, which uses Islam as a stick both to rally and beat its people. A completely different take on the country from this book which argues that Iran must be reckoned with in a more moderate fashion. Unfortunately, if one book is right the other must be wrong, and action that is taken with regard to Iran without understanding Iran may well have dire consequences for the West and Israel.
July 25, 2012
Taheri gives a thorough analysis of the rise of the Khomeneinist regime and the political philosophy of the leaders it has put in power. Although he applies a Western Conservative bend to some of the interpretations of events in Iran, he is complete in his retelling of events and he provides a very unique look at the rise of the Islamic Republic as it is today.
March 20, 2021
Suck me off dude the consolidation of the nation-state’s definitive patriarchal figurehead ain’t the reason you got such weepy daddy issues and sublimating it in your dissertation sure as shit ain’t the place either.
Waaah “fascism” waaah. Baby shit.
Waaah “fascism” waaah. Baby shit.
April 2, 2017
3.5 stars [Politics]
A crucial book on Khomeinist fascism, the elements that undermine it in the 21st century, and prescription of foreign policy options to effect its downfall.
A few parts should have been omitted, such as the detailed enumeration of every major state organ, its leaders, and political history. The greatest omission was that only two lines were given to mention Christianity in Iran; Christianity is exploding, and is one of the greatest counterrevolutionary forces in the country. However, as the average American Christian doesn’t even know this, it would be difficult to expect a non-Christian political analyst to know it.
A rather high recommendation, despite the above. Uncommon and rare truths abound, and in detail that no outsider could ever procure.
A crucial book on Khomeinist fascism, the elements that undermine it in the 21st century, and prescription of foreign policy options to effect its downfall.
A few parts should have been omitted, such as the detailed enumeration of every major state organ, its leaders, and political history. The greatest omission was that only two lines were given to mention Christianity in Iran; Christianity is exploding, and is one of the greatest counterrevolutionary forces in the country. However, as the average American Christian doesn’t even know this, it would be difficult to expect a non-Christian political analyst to know it.
A rather high recommendation, despite the above. Uncommon and rare truths abound, and in detail that no outsider could ever procure.
August 24, 2009
An informative book, though incredibly biased. I'd say Taheri's most shocking point for me was that the rulers couldn't care less about Iran as a nation, indeed they're hostile to the idea, suppressing it at every opportunity. They are "using" control of the nation solely as a springboard to spread Shi'ism. This revised edition frustratingly ends just before the recent uprisings in the country.
I'm not sure about recommending the audio, as it gets rather bogged down in spots with the continual regime-bashing; on the other hand, Dean does a terrific job with the narration, including Persian words (as though dubbed, although it sounds like his voice).
I'm not sure about recommending the audio, as it gets rather bogged down in spots with the continual regime-bashing; on the other hand, Dean does a terrific job with the narration, including Persian words (as though dubbed, although it sounds like his voice).
May 10, 2011
This book made me re-think my opinions regarding engagement with the Islamic Republic. On the downside, I am inherently suspicious of some aspects of the author's argument, in particular his relating of the current conditions inside the Islamic Republic;; to take his words as is, the time is right for a Western attack on the Republic and to do so would cause significant damage to the regime. I would have liked to have seen him respond to the classic argument that a Western attack against the regime would rally the nation to the mullahs, in the name of patriotism, thus strengthening their hand.
March 23, 2021
Interesting presentation of the history and political and religious backgrounds of Iran. Interesting approach recommended for the US foreign Policy stance with Iran - support the Iranian people and push for regime change; all options on the table.
August 18, 2021
If you want to understand Iran today and who its leaders are, read this book. They are people who don't care a whit about Persians but only about furthering their awful mission of subjugating any and all to their view of the way the world (and God/Allah) work.
Evil incarnate.
Evil incarnate.
April 1, 2026
This is an outstanding introduction to the recent history of Iran and the fascist tyranny that has ruled this ancient people for more than 30 years. Among other things, Taheri explains the real difference between Shiism and Sunni Islam. They are quite major differences, and I can see why the split has never been resolved. It is at least as big a difference as that between the Catholic Church and the various Protestant churches. For example, in Shiism the role of mullahs and the ayatollahs have been expanded and that of the Quran and even Mohammed are diminished. An analogy might be the role of saints in the Catholic Church vs the spare emphasis on Bible study among Protestant sects. The Sunnis would play the role of the Protestants.
He also makes clear that the rule of Khomeini had little to do with the precepts of the Shiite faith as he seemed more interested in power and dictatorial rule. As the years have gone by, the Iranian people have become privately much more secular as they are forced to appear devout on public. Since the American overthrow of Saddam in 2003, those who remain devout have turned to Ayatollah Sistani for spiritual guidance and the Iranian city of Qom has declined in importance as a religious center. This, of course, is contrary to the vigorous efforts of the regime to build centers of worship. President Ahmadinejad has recently complained that no new mosques have been built in Tehran. Actual attendance at services has declined as the mullahs have been discredited by their corruption.
Another recent trend has been the rise of illegal trade unions, culminating in the 2004 bus drivers strike and the appearance of "Iran's Lech Walesa," Mansour Osanloo. Taheri describes similar organizing by teachers and women's groups. Many union leaders have been arrested or killed.
Taheri points out that the regime in Iran bases its entire foreign policy on anti-Americanism and there is no possibility of a "grand bargain" with America. In the waning days of Bill Clinton's presidency, he became convinced that a breakthrough was possible, beginning with a "casual handshake" with the Iranian president at the UN. Clinton stationed himself in the corridor where the supposed handshake was to occur but the Iranian never showed up. They had decided humiliating Clinton was more valuable to their cause. The invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam gave them pause and, for two years, they suspended uranium processing and their nuclear project. Once Bush appeared to weaken in any intent to overthrow the regime, they resumed processing and in 2005 the election of Ahmadinejad signaled full speed ahead.
The events of 2009, following the fraudulent election of Ahmadinejad, suggest that Taheri is correct about what is going on in Iran. This book gives a nice history of modern Iran, from the constitution of 1908, which established a secular government, and which is suspended while the Khomeini regime is in power, to the recent changes since the book was published. Even the election of 2005 was suspicious since Ahmadinejad was supported by only 12% of voters in polls. Election turnout has declined as people gave up on any ability to modify the dictatorial regime. Ahmadinejad ran as a reformer and against many of the corrupt clerics who have enriched their families while discrediting the religion they represent. He did have genuine support on that issue but not enough to win the election without the heavy hand of the regime. The 2009 election was even more obviously a fraud and the uprising followed.
Taheri was a newspaper editor in Iran before the overthrow of the Shah and obviously no friend of the present regime. Even so, the history he relates has been confirmed by others. The Wikipedia article on his biography lists a number of attacks on him but most of them seem to be written by defenders of the regime. For example, he is accused of not being sufficiently supportive of Khatami's "reform movement." Events since then suggest Taheri was correct. The book is a valuable window into the Iranian regime and I highly recommend it. It is also very readable.
He also makes clear that the rule of Khomeini had little to do with the precepts of the Shiite faith as he seemed more interested in power and dictatorial rule. As the years have gone by, the Iranian people have become privately much more secular as they are forced to appear devout on public. Since the American overthrow of Saddam in 2003, those who remain devout have turned to Ayatollah Sistani for spiritual guidance and the Iranian city of Qom has declined in importance as a religious center. This, of course, is contrary to the vigorous efforts of the regime to build centers of worship. President Ahmadinejad has recently complained that no new mosques have been built in Tehran. Actual attendance at services has declined as the mullahs have been discredited by their corruption.
Another recent trend has been the rise of illegal trade unions, culminating in the 2004 bus drivers strike and the appearance of "Iran's Lech Walesa," Mansour Osanloo. Taheri describes similar organizing by teachers and women's groups. Many union leaders have been arrested or killed.
Taheri points out that the regime in Iran bases its entire foreign policy on anti-Americanism and there is no possibility of a "grand bargain" with America. In the waning days of Bill Clinton's presidency, he became convinced that a breakthrough was possible, beginning with a "casual handshake" with the Iranian president at the UN. Clinton stationed himself in the corridor where the supposed handshake was to occur but the Iranian never showed up. They had decided humiliating Clinton was more valuable to their cause. The invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam gave them pause and, for two years, they suspended uranium processing and their nuclear project. Once Bush appeared to weaken in any intent to overthrow the regime, they resumed processing and in 2005 the election of Ahmadinejad signaled full speed ahead.
The events of 2009, following the fraudulent election of Ahmadinejad, suggest that Taheri is correct about what is going on in Iran. This book gives a nice history of modern Iran, from the constitution of 1908, which established a secular government, and which is suspended while the Khomeini regime is in power, to the recent changes since the book was published. Even the election of 2005 was suspicious since Ahmadinejad was supported by only 12% of voters in polls. Election turnout has declined as people gave up on any ability to modify the dictatorial regime. Ahmadinejad ran as a reformer and against many of the corrupt clerics who have enriched their families while discrediting the religion they represent. He did have genuine support on that issue but not enough to win the election without the heavy hand of the regime. The 2009 election was even more obviously a fraud and the uprising followed.
Taheri was a newspaper editor in Iran before the overthrow of the Shah and obviously no friend of the present regime. Even so, the history he relates has been confirmed by others. The Wikipedia article on his biography lists a number of attacks on him but most of them seem to be written by defenders of the regime. For example, he is accused of not being sufficiently supportive of Khatami's "reform movement." Events since then suggest Taheri was correct. The book is a valuable window into the Iranian regime and I highly recommend it. It is also very readable.
September 18, 2020
This book greatly helped my understanding of the effects of the Ayatollah Khomeni and his successors on the general psyche of Iran. While the author clearly doesn't care for American Democrats, one has to look past that to understand that this country is a lot more complex than those in the US give it credit for. A good intro!
March 24, 2026
Garbage, anyone with a basic understanding of the Middle East and Iran knows full well the misrepresentations and outright lies that are present in this book. Shoddy propaganda at best, bonfire fuel at worst.
Don’t waste your time reading this rubbish.
Don’t waste your time reading this rubbish.
June 15, 2012
I did not like this book. Not only would I not recommend it due to being outdated (it was published before the June 2009 demonstrations) but I found it to contain quite a few mistakes and mis-leading information that are clearly there to proof the author's point.
The author does offer an interesting perspective, and does have a point regarding the nature of the regime. But the book is full of information the author presents as "facts" without references or any other sources, which he sprinkles here and there to proof a point or carry on with the whole nature of the book, that is its either Black or White, the Iranian government is completely Black and the Western powers are completely White and never do wrong (of course!).
Examples of the misinformation:
- That Iran was responsible for Lockerbie bombing, I would love to see his source, wonder if its "inside information"
- Abu Hamza was based in Iran?
- Dariush Forouhar was killed in 2001? Hmm wasn't it 1998!
- How Mossadaq was over-thrown by people in Iran acting out of love for the Shah rather than the CIA! That is quite a fabrication considering the whole CIA plot to overthrow Mossadaq was revealed and showed the huge role they played in it! Read "All The Shah's Men" by Stephen Kinzer for details of that.
Of course there are many other incidents where these misinformation pop up, and these are the ones I noticed with my very limited knowledge!
Overall I found the book to have an interesting topic and it could have been really good but was completely discredited for me by the twisting of information. I personally wouldn't recommend the book to anyone, any writing by Hooman Majd is a thousand times better.
The author does offer an interesting perspective, and does have a point regarding the nature of the regime. But the book is full of information the author presents as "facts" without references or any other sources, which he sprinkles here and there to proof a point or carry on with the whole nature of the book, that is its either Black or White, the Iranian government is completely Black and the Western powers are completely White and never do wrong (of course!).
Examples of the misinformation:
- That Iran was responsible for Lockerbie bombing, I would love to see his source, wonder if its "inside information"
- Abu Hamza was based in Iran?
- Dariush Forouhar was killed in 2001? Hmm wasn't it 1998!
- How Mossadaq was over-thrown by people in Iran acting out of love for the Shah rather than the CIA! That is quite a fabrication considering the whole CIA plot to overthrow Mossadaq was revealed and showed the huge role they played in it! Read "All The Shah's Men" by Stephen Kinzer for details of that.
Of course there are many other incidents where these misinformation pop up, and these are the ones I noticed with my very limited knowledge!
Overall I found the book to have an interesting topic and it could have been really good but was completely discredited for me by the twisting of information. I personally wouldn't recommend the book to anyone, any writing by Hooman Majd is a thousand times better.
February 18, 2011
One of the most informative books I've read on Khomeinist Iran. Taheri discusses how Khomeinist Shia Islam isn't even normal Shia Islam, itself a minority approach to Islam. He also discusses the structure of the government, which is something I haven't found elsewhere.
Taheri predominantly shows how there are really two Irans -- the revolutionary one and the state. The revolutionary one is Khomeinist, fascist, repressive, anti-Iranian, and not supported by the majority of people in Iran. The state one is the one which tries to have sane institutions, many which are holdovers from the pre-revolutionary secular (government) state. It's the one where many people in different occupations have set up free trade unions and kicked out their mullah overseers; it's the one where there are feminist activists; it's most of the youth.
Taheri feels there's a lot of hope to overthrow the Khomeinist regime given the right circumstances.
Very readable, very informative, highly recommended.
Taheri predominantly shows how there are really two Irans -- the revolutionary one and the state. The revolutionary one is Khomeinist, fascist, repressive, anti-Iranian, and not supported by the majority of people in Iran. The state one is the one which tries to have sane institutions, many which are holdovers from the pre-revolutionary secular (government) state. It's the one where many people in different occupations have set up free trade unions and kicked out their mullah overseers; it's the one where there are feminist activists; it's most of the youth.
Taheri feels there's a lot of hope to overthrow the Khomeinist regime given the right circumstances.
Very readable, very informative, highly recommended.
Read
March 18, 2016Well argued, the only part I disliked was the one-sided history of the headscarf. The author does well to separate true Islam from the maniacal perversion of the faith that the Khomeinists propagate, but the bit about the headscarves was presented without differentiation between fundamentalists and women who find power in the veil.
It is obvious the author has no affinity for religion.
It is obvious the author has no affinity for religion.
April 28, 2010
The author is clearly pro-monarchist, but there is still a lot of detailed information in here about how Khomeini came to power, what the power structures are in Iran, untold history since the revoultion, etc. Needs to be updated to the events of last year.
August 28, 2013
Good content in spots, although at times skewed by author's ideology. Flow was poor at times, thus the average rating. That said, a good source on the last 30 years in Iran from an insider's perspective. Was worth the time
January 3, 2010
I started reading this after the Iranian election chaos. It's very interesting, although written with a conservative slant (American conservative, that is)
March 22, 2010
Very informative, though a bit laborious at times
July 2, 2011
A detailed and scary recent history overview of this dangerously poised and possibly unstable nation.
August 9, 2009
A bold, paranoid, polemical and tenacious no-holds-barred history.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews