Compiled by Sadeq Dehqan

The strong leadership of Imam Khomeini in February 1979, which led to the collapse of the former monarchical regime and establishment of the Islamic Republic system, has resulted in various periods of the life of this distinguished Shiite scholar be accompanied by important political developments in contemporary times which all freedom and justice seekers of the world cannot forget.
Rouhollah Mousavi Khomeini was born into a learned and pious family on Jamdi ul-Sanni 20, 1321 (AH), which coincides with the birth anniversary of Fatemeh (AS), the only daughter of Prophet Muhammad (AS). When he was five months old, his father Mostafa was martyred by local bandits because of supporting the oppressed. Rouhollah was brought up by his kind mother, Hajar, and at an early age he learned horseback riding and shooting.
First Period (1321-1340 (AH)): The childhood and young adult years of Rouhollah coincided with sociopolitical crises in Iran. From an early age, he was familiar with the people’s problems and sufferings and he expressed his sorrows by drawing paintings.
Rouhullah’s inclination toward heroes and freedom fighters was to the extent that he delivered speeches and recited poetry in favor of Mirza Kouchak Khan (a freedom fighter in Gilan province during the rule of the first Pahlavi monarch, Reza Shah) and collected money from the people for his cause. Ultimately, he got determined to join Mirza’s movement.
Second Period (1340-1360 (AH)): This period of Rouhollah’s life started with his migration to Qom and his opposition to Reza Shah’s anti-religious policies. In this time span Rouhollah was busy studying, teaching and authoring books. He also became familiar with distinguished scholars such as Nourollah Esfahani and Martyr Seyyed Hasan Modarres.
Third Period (1360-1380 (AH)): This era coincides with two important developments; namely breakout of World War II and occupation of Iran and exile of Reza Shah and start of the rule of Mohammad Reza Shah. Imam Khomeini thought that this period was appropriate for launching a reform uprising. But, despite all his efforts, this uprising did not materialize.
Fourth Period (1380-1408 (AH)): This era started with two inauspicious developments, one being demise of Ayatollah Seyyed Hussein Brujerdi which was a big blow for the Islamic world and the other demise of Ayatollah Seyyed Abolqassem Kashani, who was the hero of fighting against British colonialism.
Concurrent with the influence of America over internal affairs of the country, more pressure was exerted on the former monarchical regime to implement the reforms proposed by America. This was an ominous development which led to the dominance of the US and Israel and their puppets over all state affairs.
Imam resolutely withstood the American reform plan. Imam delivered a historic speech at Qom seminary in 1382 (AH) and the former shah ordered that the Imam should be silenced. Imam was arrested and transferred to Qasr Prison.
When people found out about the arrest of the Imam, they came to the streets and held protest rallies, but the uprising was seriously quelled. This uprising apparently lost its cause when the Imam was sent into exile in Turkey and then Iraq.
The mysterious death of Imam’s son, Mostafa in 1396 (AH) pumped fresh blood into the uprising. The print of an insulting article to Imam and the clergy in 1396 (AH) in Ettela’at newspaper led to intensification of the uprising.
The series of consequent events led to escape of the shah from Iran and paved the way for return of Imam home which eventually led to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
When the Imam demised in 1408 (AH) the hostile powers stepped up their efforts to weaken the very foundations of the Islamic Revolution. But, the people of the country have thwarted all plots masterminded against the Islamic system through their exemplary vigilance.

President Barack Obama suggested that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy -- provided it proves by the end of the year that its aspirations are peaceful.
In a BBC interview broadcast Tuesday, he also restated plans to pursue direct diplomacy with Tehran to encourage it set aside any alleged ambitions for nuclear weapons it might harbor.
Iran has insisted its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity. But the US an its allies accuse Tehran of seeking atomic weapons. The allegation was never confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency which monitors all Iran’s nuclear activities.
“What I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations,“ Obama said, adding that the international community also “has a very real interest“ in preventing a nuclear arms race.
The president has indicated a willingness to seek deeper international sanctions against Tehran if it does not respond positively to US attempts to open negotiations on its nuclear program. Obama has said Tehran has until the end of the year to show it wants to engage with Washington.
“Although I don’t want to put artificial time tables on that process, we do want to make sure that, by the end of this year, we’ve actually seen a serious process move forward. And I think that we can measure whether or not the Iranians are serious,“ Obama said.
Obama’s interview offered a preview of a speech he is to deliver in Egypt this week, saying he hoped the address would warm relations between Americans and Muslims abroad.

“Reciprocal Mistrust
“What we want to do is open a dialogue,“ Obama told the BBC. “You know, there are misapprehensions about the West, on the part of the Muslim world. And, obviously, there are some big misapprehensions about the Muslim world when it comes to those of us in the West.“
Obama leaves in the evening on a trip to Egypt and Saudi Arabia aimed at reaching out to the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims. He is due to make his speech in Cairo on Thursday.
Obama sounded an optimistic note about making progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although he offered no new ideas for how he might try to secure a freeze on new building of Israeli settlements. The United States has called for a freeze, but Israeli leaders have rejected that. Asked what he would say during his visit about human rights abuses, including the detention of political prisoners in Egypt, Obama indicated no stern lecture would be forthcoming.
He said he hoped to deliver the message that democratic values are principles that “they can embrace and affirm.“