Iran Liberation Front | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Ali Amini |
| Founded | 19 January 1982 |
| Headquarters | Paris,France |
| Ideology | Monarchism |
Front for the Liberation of Iran (FIL),[1][2]Iran Liberation Front (ILF)[3] or theSaviour Front[4] (Persian:جبهه نجات ایران) was anIranian monarchist organization based inParis, which sought to restore thePahlavi dynasty following theIranian Revolution.[3] It was led byAli Amini, formerPrime Minister of Iran, who announced establishment of the group on 19 January 1982.[5]
In July 1983, the organization signed an agreement with theNational Resistance Movement of Iran, another French-based organization led byShapour Bakhtiar over shared policies, which included installingReza Pahlavi.[3] By 1984, personal conflicts had reduced effectiveness of this alliance, according toAnoushiravan Ehteshami.[3]
TheCentral 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 namedRadio 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 ofReza 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 byManouchehr Ganji in 1986.[8]