Early Life and Political Involvement
Mohsen Rafiqdoost was born in 1919 and became a significant figure in the Iranian political and military landscape. His early years were marked by political activism, which led to his expulsion from Behbahani High School in Sarcheshmeh. His engagement in political movements began at a young age, showing support for Mohammad Mossadegh during the nationalization of the oil industry. However, he later shifted his allegiance to Abolghasem Kashani following the political rift between Kashani and Mossadegh.
By 1969, Rafiqdoost had established connections with Saeed Mohsen and Mohammad Hanifnejad, leaders of the People’s Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK). His collaboration with the MEK involved smuggling weapons from Lebanon into Iran, using routes such as Iraqi Kurdistan. This alliance persisted until 1975, when ideological disputes within the MEK led to the imprisonment of its leaders. During this period, Rafiqdoost was arrested and subsequently joined the Jamiat Mutalifa while in prison. He later claimed to have devised a plan to assassinate General Nematollah Nasiri, the head of SAVAK, although the plan was never executed.
Role in the Revolution
Rafiqdoost played a crucial role in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. He was notably the driver of Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini’s American Chevrolet Blazer when Khomeini returned to Iran on February 1, 1979. At the Alavi School, he took