In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Brave people of Iran! Honorable people of Tehran!
As you all know, I want the Iranian issue to be solved through peaceful means. But the machinery of oppression and tyranny, finding itself condemned on the basis of law, has perpetrated crimes in the cities of Gorgan and Gonbad Kavous and has attacked and slaughtered the brave Muslim people. In Tehran, the( Shah's )Guard Corps has made a sudden attack on the Air Force personnel who have joined the nation and have fearlessly defeated them with the people's assistance. I condemn these inhuman acts of aggression of the Guard Corps. With such fratricidal moves, they want to keep foreign influence in the country and reinstate the plunderers back in their positions.
Although I have not yet decreed a holy war and I still want to maintain the peace and affairs to be carried out in accordance with legal criteria and the nation's will, I may not be able to put up with this bestiality any longer. I am warning (these people) that if they do not desist from this fratricide and the Guard Corps does not retreat to its base, and aggression does not stop on the part of the army, God willing, I will make my final decision and these aggressors and intruders will be responsible. I would like the dauntless people of Tehran to maintain their readiness and vigilance in face of the enemy's chicanery and keep peace and order in cases when the aggressive forces are retreating. But they should be well equipped and ever ready for defending Islam and the honor of Muslims. Today's declaration of martial law is another stratagem and is against religious law and the people should defy it.
My dear brothers and sisters! Do not let fear overcome you because, God willing, truth will triumph. I implore the Exalted God for the victory of the nation of Islam. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini