Rejoicing at the Shah's death, and more executions
As world leaders cabled messages of sympathy to the family of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (President and Mrs. Carter sent "personal condolences"), Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini said "Allahu akbar!" (God is great!) upon hearing of the death of Iran's ex-monarch. Tehran radio announced the news in these terms: "The bloodsucker of the century has died at last."
That official expression of jubilation over the Shah's death climaxed a week of exceptionally highly charged rhetoric. "We want Islam alone; nothing but Islam will do!" Khomeini had thundered,...
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