By the mid-1970s, as the Shah increased political pressures, some prisoners were released in what many interpreted as a calculated attempt to diffuse revolutionary organizing. Asgarovaladi was among those released—freeing him to rejoin political activities and contribute to the final years of unrest that culminated in the 1979 Revolution.
After the Revolution: Roles in the Islamic Republic
After the Islamic Revolution, Habibollah Asgarovaladi emerged as a respected and influential conservative politician. His deep connections with the bazaar class, his experience as a seasoned activist, and his reputation for loyalty to Khomeini made him a natural choice for leadership roles in the new state.
He became a founding member of the Islamic Coalition Party (Hezb-e Motalefeh Eslami), which evolved from the pre-revolution underground network. Motalefeh became one of Iran’s most significant conservative parties, functioning as a bridge between the bazaar, clerical circles, and political institutions. Asgarovaladi ultimately served as its Secretary General and one of its most recognizable figures.
