in january 1980 with the election of president bani sadr and the continuing anti-baháʼí sentiment, the baháʼí faith was officially described by the government as a political movement against the iranian revolution and islam. before the revolution, bani sadr had connected the universal message of the baháʼí faith with western colonialism. in february 1980, the iranian ambassador to the united nations stated that baháʼís were savak agents and repeated the cleric's charges; only later when he broke with the regime in 1982 did he recant his previous statements.