He then fled to France. He later joined the persian resistance group led by Khomeini, becoming one of his hard-liner advisors. Banisadr returned to homeland together with Khomeini as the revolution was beginning in February 1979. Banisadr’s understanding of economics made him a vocal critic of the Shah’s policies, which he viewed as favoring elites while neglecting ordinary. The 1979 Revolution marked a turning point in Banisadr’s life. After years of activism in exile, he returned as a respected economist and political thinker.
He quickly rose to positions of influence in the new government, serving first as Minister of Finance and briefly as Minister of Foreign Affairs. His reputation as a pragmatic and reform-minded leader helped him gain popular support. In January 1980, Banisadr was elected the first President of the Islamic Republic of, securing a large majority of votes. He envisioned a presidency that could act as a bridge between revolutionary ideals and the practical needs of governance.
