Front for the Liberation of Iran
Political party in Iran / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Front for the Liberation of Iran (FIL),[1][2] Iran Liberation Front (ILF)[3] or the Saviour Front[4] (Persian: جبهه نجات ایران) was an Iranian monarchist organization based in Paris, which sought to restore the Pahlavi dynasty following the Iranian Revolution.[3] It was led by Ali Amini, former Prime Minister of Iran, who announced establishment of the group on 19 January 1982.[5]
Iran Liberation Front | |
---|---|
Leader | Ali Amini |
Founded | 19 January 1982 |
Headquarters | Paris, France |
Ideology | Monarchism |
In July 1983, the organization signed an agreement with the National Resistance Movement of Iran, another French-based organization led by Shapour Bakhtiar over shared policies, which included installing Reza Pahlavi.[3] By 1984, personal conflicts had reduced effectiveness of this alliance, according to Anoushiravan Ehteshami.[3]
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly funded the organization since 1982, paying a monthly stipend of $100,000.[6][7] The money included $20,000–$30,000 for the expenses of a radio named Radio Nejat (lit. 'Radio Liberation') which was broadcast from Egypt to Iran four hours a day.[6] The radio's greatest achievement in September 1986, when the CIA overrided Iranian domestic TV frequencies, sending the 11-minutes speech of Reza Pahlavi.[6]
When the news of CIA money circulated media in the United States, France and Iran, Amini who felt his reputation was damaged, withdrew from politics.[7]
Amini was replaced by Manouchehr Ganji in 1986.[8]