The National Front repudiates Bakhtiar's decision

The marches expressed a collective demand for independence, freedom and an Islamic political order.

The scale and discipline of the crowds showed that repression risked uncontrollable national conflict.

Organizers managed routes, security and communication on a scale the weakening government could not match.

After other liberal politicians declined, the monarch asked the National Front figure to form a civilian government.

He sought to restore constitutional government while retaining the monarchy, a position rejected by most of the revolutionary movement.

The proposed government became part of a final attempt to transfer authority before the monarch left Iran.

From exile, Khomeini announced a revolutionary council charged with guiding the transition and preparing a new political order.

Its authority was presented as arising from the mass movement rather than from institutions appointed by the Shah.

The declaration called for elected representatives to consider a constitution for an Islamic republic.

The body brought together clerical and lay figures while much of its membership initially remained secret for security reasons.