Why was Khomeini’s return to Iran on February 1, 1979 important?

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s return to Iran on February 1, 1979, was a pivotal moment in the Iranian Revolution for several reasons:

• Demonstration of Popular Support: His arrival was met with wild rejoicing by crowds exceeding one million people in Tehran, which served as a powerful display of his widespread appeal and authority among the Iranian populace.12
• Collapse of the Interim Government: Following the Shah’s departure in January 1979, the Regency Council and Prime Minister Shahpur Bakhtiar were unable to govern effectively or reach a compromise with the opposition. Khomeini’s return signaled the final loss of control for the existing regime.12
• Catalyst for Regime Change: Khomeini’s presence accelerated the final collapse of the monarchy. Just ten days after his return, on February 11, the country’s armed forces declared their neutrality, which effectively ended the Shah’s regime and paved the way for the establishment of an Islamic republic.32

By returning, Khomeini was able to transition from coordinating the opposition in exile to directly leading the revolutionary movement as it seized power.13