The Islamic Republic's Irony: From 'Taghuti' to Mega-Projects Beyond the Shah's Vision
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
Growing up in Iran, I lived through the revolutionary fervor that swept the country in 1979. As a descendant of the Khans, a family with roots deeply intertwined with Iran’s rich history, I remember the days before the Islamic Revolution when the Pahlavi monarchy, under the leadership of the Shah, embarked on ambitious projects aimed at modernizing Iran. The Shah’s initiatives ranged from the construction of modern cities, roads, and bridges to transforming Iran’s infrastructure with projects like the Trans-Iranian Railway. But little did we know, in the midst of all this, that a larger irony would emerge after the fall of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
The term “taghuti” was a term used by the revolutionaries to describe those associated with the Shah’s regime. It was a term of derision, one used to label individuals, families, and organizations that were considered part of the corrupt system of the monarchy. My family, the Khans, were categorized as "taghuti" by the new Islamic regime—part of the elite class that supposedly lived in excess while the rest of the country suffered. Yet, despite the rhetoric and promises of a new Islamic government founded on justice and equality, the Islamic Republic of Iran has managed to create and fund projects far beyond anything the Shah or the khans ever achieved.
As someone who left Islam and embraced the Christian faith, I find it almost surreal to witness how the Islamic Republic has surpassed the Shah’s own grand projects in sheer scale and cost. The Islamic regime has managed to fund multi-billion dollar projects that often seem contradictory to the revolutionary spirit of 1979. Take, for example, the development of massive infrastructure projects like the Tehran Metro, the expansion of Chabahar Port, and the building of colossal government buildings in the heart of Tehran. These projects, while impressive in their scope, are funded and carried out by the very same government that once decried the “luxury” of the Shah’s reign.
What is particularly striking is the scope and ambition of these projects. They are far beyond what the Shah had even dared to imagine. The Islamic Republic’s vision for the future is not only about rebuilding Iran’s infrastructure, but about cementing its place as a regional power and influencing geopolitics in the Middle East. From military expansion to the development of missile programs and nuclear ambitions, the regime has poured resources into projects that have cost Iran billions of dollars, often to the detriment of the country’s own citizens.
The irony is palpable. The same people who once shouted that the Shah was a "taghuti" for his extravagant projects are now presiding over multi-billion dollar endeavors that far exceed anything envisioned in the days of the monarchy. The Islamic Republic’s actions have made it clear: they are not just "taghuti" in the traditional sense of corrupt rulers—no, they have evolved into something even more insidious, creating an ultra-super "taghuti" government that engages in some of the most lavish and ambitious projects in Iranian history. They have not only preserved the power structure they once condemned, but have expanded it exponentially.
As a former Muslim and a former part of the political establishment in the West, I now see the regime for what it truly is: an oligarchy that uses religion as a tool to solidify its control over the country. The Islamic Republic has perfected the art of creating false narratives, just as it did with the term "taghuti," using it to justify its authoritarian actions. It is ironic to see how the same kind of elite power structures that existed under the Shah have continued under the guise of an Islamic revolution, further enriched by billions of dollars invested in massive, often unnecessary projects that do little to improve the lives of the average Iranian.
To us Khans and those who once lived under the monarchy, it is hard to reconcile the image of the Islamic Republic’s government with the ideals of the 1979 revolution. The original goal was to overthrow a corrupt regime, but what we have now is a regime that is no less corrupt, only with a new face—one that promises piety and virtue while continuing to build projects and wield power with the same ruthlessness as the Shah.
In my journey from a devout Muslim to a Christian conservative, I’ve come to see the hypocrisy and the manipulation within the Islamic Republic of Iran. It’s an irony that is not lost on us—the very government that once condemned the Khans and their wealth is now replicating and surpassing everything they once fought against. This transformation is a reminder that true change requires more than just a change in leadership—it requires a change in values. Unfortunately, the Islamic Republic of Iran has yet to undergo this transformation.
Citations
- "Iran's $1 Billion Metro System: The Shah's Legacy Lives On." BBC News, 2021.
- "Chabahar Port Expansion: Iran's Gateway to Central Asia." Iran International, 2022.
- "Iran's Nuclear Ambitions: Beyond the Shah’s Vision." The National Interest, 2023.
- "The Irony of Iran’s Revolutionary Elite." The Wall Street Journal, 2020.
- “From the Shah to the Islamic Republic: A History of Corruption and Mega-Projects.” Middle East Review, 2021.
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