Interviewer: A reporter of the American NBC TV channel
Question: [What goals would these demonstrations, strikes and protesting walks in Iran serve?]
Answer: The goals must be understood by what the people shout. They are shouting:" liberty, independence, Islamic government," and" Down with the Pahlavi monarchy," and .... And these are their goals.
Q: [Would Your Eminence Ayatullah give any possibility of reconciliation with the Shah?]
A: No; the Shah doesn't stand a chance for reconciliation anymore, and has no choice but to leave.
Q: [Some of the western countries claim that the Shah must stay, because the opponents don't have a clear plan to run the country. What is Your Eminence's opinion?]
A: These are the propaganda spread by which the Shah's followers, who want the chaos of the country to remain, and for the Shah to illegitimately dictate over the people. There are distinguished men and committed specialists in Iran who would run the country; but the way the Shah is running the country, is based treason and is damaging to the nation, and would do no good. Basically, what good has the Shah done within the past thirty some years?
Q: [If the Shah leaves, what role would Your Eminence Ayatullah consider for himself in the future government?]
A: I will play no role except for guiding the nation and the country.
Q: [What do you think of this fear among the Americans that if the Shah leaves or gets overthrown, the flow of oil to the West would stop?]
A: This is another propaganda spread by the Shah's followers. By establishing the Islamic government, we aren't planning to keep the oil under ground. We would need the oil income in order to run the country. We would sell the oil for a fair price to any buyer, and would use the revenues toward the nation's interests. We don't want to act as the Shah does, because that amounts to treason.
Q: [Your Eminence has complained about the foreigners' influence in Iran. Can you explain what countries these people are from?]
A: America is at the top of the list, and its influence can be seen in all of the country's affairs. The reason for the Iranian nation's hatred toward the American rule and government is the American exercise of influence. The American interference is now almost direct. I am afraid that these interferences may end up making the Iranian nation uneasy about the American nation. The American nation must stop its government from interfering in our internal affairs, which has caused all these commotions and unease.
Q: [Isn't Your Eminence worried that the recent riots and complexities of Iran may result into formation of a communist government?]
A: Never, as seen in Iran, all sectors of the nation are shouting for Islam and demanding an Islamic government. Communists, are very small in number, if there are any, with no chance to do anything significant. We are not concerned in that respect at all.
Q: [Recently, Your Eminence has had meetings with other leaders of opposition to Shah, such as Sanjabi. Do they agree with your plans? Are there any agreements made in that regard?]
A: They accepted what we said, and expressed their consensus. No national or religious personality would be skeptical about the issues we pointed out, unless they're affiliated to the Shah.
Q: [What does Your Eminence Ayatullah predict will happen in Iran within the next month?]
A: As long as the Shah is in Iran, and the superpowers are trying to save him, the murders and the recent occurrences will continue. But, if the Shah leaves and the heroic people of Iran take hold of their own country's affairs, peace will return to Iran and the Islamic republic will be established; and God willing, all affairs will proceed in favor of the nation.
Q: [Is Your Eminence Ayatullah planning to return to Iran?]
A: With the chaos created by the Shah, which has recently reached its peak, it is not yet clear whether or not I should return to Iran. I'm better off staying abroad where I can deliver the Iranians' cry of oppression to the whole world. Although, whenever it lies in the interests of the nation, I will return to Iran.
Q: [Is Your Eminence Ayatullah worried or fearful of his own personal safety at all?]
A: That is not important and I'm not worried about such things. But if my assassination would result in the complete victory of the revolution, why should I not consent to it? I am no better than anyone else. In any case, God knows all and He is the protector.