To demonstrate his support, Khomeini called for demonstrators to occupy the streets throughout the country. He also sent a letter to American officials warning them to withdraw support for Bakhtiar.Bakhtiar became increasingly isolated, with members of the government (including the entire Regency Council) defecting to Khomeini.
It is a government based on the sharia. Opposing this government means opposing the sharia of Islam … Revolt against God’s government is a revolt against God. Revolt against God is blasphemy. Angered, Bakhtiar made a speech of his own. Reaffirming himself as the legitimate leader, he declared that:Iran has one government. More than this is intolerable, either for me or for you or for any other Iranian. As a Muslim, I had not heard that jihad refers to one Muslim against other Muslims….
