Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini played a central role in the overthrow of the Iranian monarchy in 1979. As a prominent religious leader and political figure, Khomeini galvanized opposition against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whose regime was perceived as oppressive and corrupt. Leveraging religious and nationalist sentiments, Khomeini mobilized widespread protests that united various social groups unhappy with the monarchy's policies. His return from exile in France marked a pivotal moment in the Iranian Revolution, leading to the establishment of an Islamic Republic. Khomeini's leadership fundamentally altered Iran's political landscape, steering the country away from Western influence and towards a theocratic system.