Iranian revolution history shows leftists were purged after allying with Islamists?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @pasipslnu

The Reel's core historical claim—that Iranian leftists who allied with Islamists in 1979 were later purged and executed by the new regime—is accurate. Times of Israel and International Socialism confirm that the 1979 Iranian Revolution involved a broad coalition of secular leftists, Marxists, and Islamists. Following the overthrow of the Shah, the clerical regime systematically purged, arrested, tortured, and executed thousands of leftist activists between 1981 and 1983.

2 claims checked
2 sources
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Main source: The Islamic Republic of Iran at 40: the Revolution that made it - Religion and Global Society

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The Reel we checked

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What we checked

In 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown by an alliance of Islamists, Marxists, and socialists.“The Iranian demonstrations encompassed large numbers of secular and leftist protestors as well as Islamists – and they found common cause in many of their grievances.”The Islamic Republic of Iran at 40: the Revolution that made it - Religion and Global Society

Following the 1979 revolution in Iran, leftists, professors, and college students were purged, imprisoned, tortured, and executed by the Islamist regime.“In 1981–1983, thousands of leftists were arrested, tortured, and executed.”1979 Iran: When the Left Helped the Islamists Gain Power

What we couldn't check

We couldn't find the full original video, so we can't say what was said just before or after this clip.

Connected

The same claim was checked in another Reel (@coptic_yousif, 2026-09-19): “In 1979, Marxists, communists, and other leftists helped bring down the Shah and handed Iran to Ayatollah…”, found true (see it)
The same claim was checked in another Reel (@celinerouben_, 2026-08-19): “The Islamist regime executed thousands of leftists after taking power.”, found true (see it)

What the Reel doesn't tell you

Times of Israel reports that during 1981–1983, thousands of Iranian leftists were arrested, tortured, and executed by the post-revolutionary regime.
International Socialism reports that organisations of the Iranian left were effectively and comprehensively defeated after the 1979 revolution.

Short version

✅ TRUE 👉 Iranian leftists who allied with Islamists during the 1979 revolution were later systematically purged and executed by the new clerical regime. 👉 Times of Israel and International Socialism confirm that thousands of leftist activists were arrested, tortured, and executed between 1981 and 1983. 📰 Sources: Lse, Times of Israel 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat