The Iranian revolution was the product of deep discontent among workers, students, peasants, and traders (or bazaaris) against the Shah. The left played a role in the uprisings in the military as well as in the student protests. However, it failed to provide leadership for the movement as a whole for various reasons, including the part played by the United States in weakening the communists and other leftists. Iran's workers, in particular its oil workers, were the key muscle that brought the Shah down but were unable to play an independent role. This allowed Ayatollah Khomeini to maneuver between various factions over the course of two years and finally to take power for the Islamic Republican Party.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 245