In this context, while a loose coalition of opposition from diverse ideological groups did emerge, it was the clerical opposition, symbolized in the person of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini - who was in exile from 1964 to 1979 - that commanded the loyalty of the masses.
In this context, while a loose coalition of opposition from diverse ideological groups did emerge, it was the clerical opposition, symbolized in the person of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini - who was in exile from 1964 to 1979 - that commanded the loyalty of the masses.