On October 30, 2018, the 6th Anbound research video program was recorded in the training room of the Anbound Beijing Research Headquarter. The event was hosted by Mr. Xu Yang, former vice president of Sohu China and deputy editor-in-chief of CITIC Press Group. In the event, Mr. Yin Gang discussed the Iran issue, one of hot topics in the international relations. Mr. Yin Hang is a researcher at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the vice president of the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies.
Mr. Yin Gang gave an introduction on the history of the Pahlavi Dynasty in Iran and analyzed the reform measures of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and their influence on the society. Mr. Yin Gang mentioned that in the 1960s, Mohammad Reza introduced the White Revolution in Iran, and promoted the reform of the land system, as well as developed the education; the industries became developed, and this had benefitted the workers and the farmers. Yet, the reform had also offended the Islamic religious communities. During this period, corruption was common and secret police were rampant. In the mid-1970s, oil prices fell, and the Iranian economy fell into depression; companies were unable to pay wages, business became sluggish, and the opposition Tudeh Party continued to launch strikes and protests. Under such situation, the religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini received support from the United States, while Mohammad Reza was overthrown in a large-scale national demonstration from September to December 1978. After the Islamic Revolution, Iran established the system that continues to this day.
Answering the questions, Mr. Yin Gang emphasized that Iran is not a theocratic country, but one that religion is used by political forces. However, under the current system, the Iranian people have basic democratic training. Mr. Yin Gang maintained that Iran is a country with a long history, and the Iranians are a great intelligent people; they will not blindly follow the religion, and the future of Iran will surely get better.
