Mehdi Bazargan

Mehdi Bazargan was the first prime minister appointed by the revolutionary government of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran. He was a member of the National Front and a supporter of Mohammed Mossadegh, representing Khomeini's compromise between the fundamentalists and the middle class.¹

Bazargan believed that both the Soviets and the U.S. were evil, but preferred the U.S. to the "godless communists." He sought to normalize relations with Washington, D.C. and allowed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran to operate, continuing to deal with the Americans.¹

Bazargan's faction was in a tense power struggle with extremist fundamentalist groups who opposed any relationship with the U.S.. Israeli intelligence, concerned about an imminent Iraqi attack on Iran, urged President Carter to support Bazargan's government, as he was willing to negotiate with the Americans and accept help in reorganizing his military. However, the Carter administration adopted a hands-off policy.¹

Bazargan desperately needed American arms and help against the Iraqi threat. He resigned on November 4, 1979, after radical "students" took over the U.S. Embassy and held staff hostage, a desperate attempt to draw attention to themselves due to the lack of American aid.¹

Earl Brian and Robert McFarlane arranged a meeting with Bazargan in late January 1980 in Tehran to discuss the hostage situation. Bazargan was still thought to be very close to Khomeini and Hojjat El-Islam Mehdi Karrubi.¹