The revolution that occurred in Iran involving the Islamic community in 1979 has had a significant impact on modern terrorism events that could not have been predicted at the time of occurrence. Though the attack occurs in various forms, the revolution led to increased terrorist events that the Iranians supported. Though insignificant, the revolution attracted a response from Saudi Arabia and the Sunni militia, resulting in Sunni Jihadism's emergence. This document intends to expound on the evolution of global jihad and its consequences in the Middle East.
According to Byman (2019), Iran viewed the world from a revolutionary perspective. For instance, while bearing the Islamic revolution in mind, the Tehran leaders viewed foreign policy as an ideology while ignoring any strategic and economic plans that would have benefitted the country. The new regime believed that its people were ready for a revolution thus, miscalculating the neighboring communities' fragility. Under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had long-standing links to the Shiite, and the religious model he used to lead his people, the Shiite revolution transpired. Neighboring countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq used the Shiite model to grow their factions. The Iranian leadership inspired the Sunni Muslims through the revolution's declaration as an Islamic one and not just Shiite. As a result, President Anwar Sadat of Egypt was assassinated in 198 1, and in 1982, the Hama uprising in Syria took place as they were united as a religious entity.
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Saddam Hussein, Iraq's leader, wedged a war against Iran as he saw their ideology to be strong, unlike its military, as they had a sway over the Shiite revolutionary. Iraq was able to invade Iran with the support of other nations that feared the Iranian ideology. Also, America imposed sanctions and stopped the sale of weapons to Tehran while supporting the anti-Iran warfare. Other than a period between 1985 – 1987, when America and Iran had a joint operation to free its citizens from Lebanon, it has always labeled Iran as a terrorism sympathizer state. Besides, terrorism became strategic with attacks on Iraq's allies like France facing attacks.
Before the revolution, the religious sects focused on whatever transpired within their boundaries resulting in the Sunni Muslims not getting aid as they were impure. To minimize the Iranian influence, the Saudis used lots of funds to influence other Muslims worldwide, resulting in radical mosques providing recruits for terrorist activities.
In conclusion, due to its ties to the rogue militia groups, Iran faces pressure to alter its stand on terrorism while allied countries hesitate to offer their support. Also, the United States developed an antiterrorism unit to help combat the attacks that later changed to an intelligence unit after the 911 attack on the American embassy located in Nairobi, Kenya.
References
Byman, L.D. (2019): Iranian Revolution 40 Years On-What It Has Meant for America, Iran, and the Region. Order from Chaos. The Iranian revolution and its legacy in terrorism. Retrieved on 5 th April 2021 from https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2019/01/24/the-iranian-revolution-and-its-legacy-of-terrorism/
