Iran’s Ideological Expansion Continues 41 Years After 1979 Referendum

(New York, N.Y.) – This week marks the 41st anniversary of the referendum which established Iran’s theocratic system of governance. On March 30-31, 1979, Iranians participated in a referendum, which resulted in the establishment of an Islamic Republic. The regime has since sought to export the ideology underpinning this governing model globally.

The international community has been reminded of the Islamic Republic’s repressive reach as it combats the outbreak of the coronavirus. Some reports trace the origin of the coronavirus in Iran to the presence of Chinese students studying at Al-Mustafa International University in Qom. Al-Mustafa University is one of Iran’s main arms for the dissemination of Khomeinist ideology abroad.

In its analysis report, Iran’s Ideological Expansion, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) tracks the rise of Al-Mustafa University and other parts of the Islamic Republic’s influence network around the world. With the U.S. government recently accusing Tehran of promoting disinformation amid the coronavirus pandemic, the resource provides an essential guide to the institutions and playbook of Iran’s soft power industrial complex.

To explore UANI’s resource Iran’s Ideological Expansion, please click here.

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