In good company?

"Imperialism vs. the Iranian Revolution: Which side for working people?" is a pamphlet published by the U.S. Socialist Workers' Party. It was published in December 1981. I can't say I like it. The SWP defends Iran with the argument that Khomeini's regime, although "capitalist", is nevertheless "anti-imperialist" and still responsive to pressure from below. The SWP believes that revolutionary gains of the working class still existed in Iran, and that the main danger therefore wasn't Khomeini but the U.S. military threats, the Iraqi invasion, and the terror campaign of the Mujahedeen. The SWP does criticize the Islamic regime on a number of points, including the executions of political opponents, the war in Kurdistan and the decision to stop socialist groups from running in the Iranian elections. (At this time, the SWP still supported the Fourth International, which had followers in Iran.) However, the main thrust of the articles included in this pamphlet is that the Iranian revolution, and by implication the Iranian regime itself, must nevertheless be defended against "imperialism" and internal "counter-revolution".

The SWP are especially critical of U.S. leftists who had expressed support for the People's Mujahedeen and their coalition with former liberal president Bani-Sadr (who had been deposed by Khomeini's supporters). The Mujahedeen had sided with Iraq during the Iraqi invasion of Iran, and launched an armed struggle of its own against Khomeini. The SWP believes that the most successful Mujahedeen attacks (such as the bombing which killed President Rajai and Prime Minister Bahonar) must have been inside jobs carried out by the Shah's former secret police, or even the CIA.

Although the SWP probably wouldn't put it that way, their position on Iran was really a form of critical political support for the Islamic regime of Ayatollah Khomeini. Since the Iranian regime is essentially fascist, I'd say the SWP has a problem! But then, many other leftist groups didn't see through Khomeini before it was too late, either, so perhaps the SWP were - so to speak - in good company...