The Tehran Times, which began publishing in 1979, was founded during the early years of Iran’s quest for independence. The English-language daily newspaper has been regarded by Mohammad Beheshti, one of the most influential and renowned figures of the Islamic Republic, as the “voice of the Islamic Revolution”.

Such a label, made the staff at the Tehran Times feel an even bigger responsibility to accurately and effectively report the daily occurrences in the country and become a helping hand in the consolidation and entrenchment of the new people-led governance. For that, the paper needed to follow the events with a keen eye and try to draw attention to issues that were essential to be addressed. That’s why with the approaching of the 10-day Fajr occasion, the period from February 1st (Bahman 12th) to February 11th (Bahman 22nd) of 1977 during which Imam Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years of exile, we have decided to take a look at how the Tehran Times commemorated the historic period in February of 1980. Such an act would help us understand where we stand today, and give us a clearer vision of the hardships Iranians had to endure to be able to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution today. February 1st in the year 1980 was a Friday. The Tehran Times’s covering of the Fajr decade began a day later, on Saturday.

Wednesday, February 6, 1980

Islamic Revolution poised to spread to more regions

One of the most renowned figures of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, warned the West and Israel multiple times before his assassination that no matter what Iran’s adversaries do, the Islamic Republic is bound to spread to other regions as its essence is all about fighting colonialism and imperialism. The Tehran Times reflected the religious figures' remarks on February 6, 1980. 

“The revolution of Iran is purely ideological and Islamic in its nature and therefore, does not know any boundaries or limits, said Dr. Beheshti who was speaking to foreign guests at the former Assembly of Experts building. 

The guests were attending a special function arranged to mark the birthdays of the Holy Prophet and Imam Ja’far Sadegh and the beginning of 15th Century Hejira, as well as the first anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. 

Dr. Beheshti said that the foreigners misunderstand our concept of exporting the Islamic Republic. They consider us to be a nation that wants to dominate and is power-hungry when we talk of exporting the Islamic Revolution. They should realize that our ideology is against every and all kinds of domination. It is the false propaganda of international imperialism and Zionism because they are afraid of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and fear that the countries of the Third World will revolt against them if inspired by the Islamic Revolution of Iran,” The Tehran Times reported.