The Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran after exile in 1979, marking a significant turning point in the Iranian Revolution. Khomeini had been living in exile, primarily in France, due to his opposition to the Pahlavi monarchy. His return was met with enormous public support and culminated in the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This event led to the establishment of an Islamic Republic in Iran, fundamentally changing the political landscape. Khomeini's leadership emphasized Islamic governance over Western influence, impacting both domestic and international politics considerably.