The council claims revolutionary legitimacy

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.

His acceptance split him from former allies who insisted that cooperation with the Shah could not answer popular demands.

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.

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.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi departed Iran amid nationwide strikes and demonstrations, ending his effective rule even before the monarchy was formally abolished.

Millions interpreted the departure as a victory over dictatorship, foreign dependency and the political order created after the 1953 coup.

Shapour Bakhtiar tried to preserve a constitutional monarchy, but most revolutionary forces rejected a government still appointed by the Shah.