Iranian Shiite Muslim leader. Exiled from 1964 for his opposition to Shah Pahlavi, he returned when the shah left the country in 1979, and established a fundamentalist Islamic republic. His rule was marked by a protracted war with Iraq, and suppression of opposition within Iran, executing thousands of opponents.
Green stands for agriculture. Red recalls the struggle for independence. White denotes peace. Yellow symbolizes mineral wealth. Effective date: April 1983.