When Imam Khomeini announced Bazargan as prime minister on 5 February he presented himself before the press and other news media with his close adviser and companion Hashemi Rafsanjani, as well as Bazargan. Rafsanjani spoke first, setting out a programme for the establishment of a new revolutionary state. There would be a referendum to establish popular support for an Islamic republic. Then a Constituent Assembly would be set up to agree a new constitution. That being done, elections would be held and a new Majles (parliament) would be elected. After Rafsanjani, Bazargan spoke self- deprecatingly of his suitability for the responsibilities now thrust upon him, but Imam Khomeini, speaking last, had a message that was firm, sombre and austere: through the guardianship that I have from the holy lawgiver [i.e. the Prophet Mohammad] I hereby pronounce Bazargan as the Ruler, and since I have appointed him, he must be obeyed. The nation must obey him. This is not an ordinary government. It is a government based on the shari‘a. Opposing this government means opposing the shari‘a of Islam and revolting against the shari‘a, and revolt against the government of the shari‘a has its punishment in our law . . . it is a heavy punishment in Islamic jurisprudence. Revolt against God’s government is a revolt against God. Revolt against God is blasphemy.
Mobilization of Elites: New Regime Evolves under Imam Khomeini
