ABSTRACT
Suppression of the 1963 uprising was followed by almost fifteen years of apparent political tranquility. The absence of viable opposition activities was due to several factors. The Iranian sociopolitical context between 1977 and 1979 was one of revolution that resulted in the collapse of the Pahlavi Dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The circulation of a two-page open letter to the Shah in June 1977, signed by three liberal reformist N.F. leaders—Sanjabi, Foruhar, and Bakhtiar-marked the beginning of a period of limited liberalization. A movement initiated and led by basically liberal and secular groups came under the control of religious, largely militant groups. The various groups either could not or would not emphasize their particular positions. Instead, there was a tendency to find some common ground to ease the process of unification. On February 4, Khomeini had issued a written statement that appointed Mehdi Bazargan the head of the provisional government.
