Pan-Iranist Party

[[File:Flag of Pan-Iranist-Party.svg|thumb|165 px|right|The official flag of the Pan-Iranist party.]]
{{fascism}}
The '''Pan-Iranist Party (PIP)''' is a small [[far-right]] extremist, paramilitary terrorist organization and party from [[Iran]] advocating for {{wpl|Pan-Iranism||.}} However, the party is not registered in Iran and has been banned since 1970, though it continues to clandestinely operate inside Iran and outside Iran as well, mostly in the West.<ref>[https://dbpedia.org/page/Pan-Iranist_Party About: Pan-Iranist Party] ''DBpedia''</ref><ref>[https://m.famousfix.com/list/banned-political-parties-in-iran Banned political parties in Iran] ''FamousFix''</ref>

Despite being [[Nationalism|nationalistic]], the party is overwhemingly [[secular]] (echoing [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]]'s ideology of nationalism and secularism), and state that they want the unification of Iranian people via irredentism and imperialism. The party has aped many features from European fascist movements, such as the [[Nazi Party]] and [[Fascism#Italian Fascism|Italian Fascists]], though since their ban during the Islamic revolution, they have abandoned any far-right/fascist elements and have moderated to a regular right-wing party to some degree.

The party was represented in the parliament during the Pahlavi dynasty. It was considered somewhat of an opposition group in the regime, but was allowed to operate until they criticized Iran's agreement to Bahraini independence in 1970. This event was the catalyst that resulted in their ban within Iran, but this did little to halt the group's activity as they would continue their activity in exile from the West.<ref>[https://www.iranrights.org/memorial/story/28399/dariush-foruhar Dariush Foruhar] ''Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran''</ref>

==Ideology==
[[File:Pan-Iranist Party propaganda.webp|thumb|250 px|Nazi-esque propaganda of irredentism from the PIP.]]
The party generally adhered to far-right nationalism in its early days, as it was founded during a time of national identity when colonial superpowers occupied the country. As its name states, the party advocates for Pan-Iranism and Iranian ultranationalism<ref>{{cite book |last1=Boroujerdi |first1=Mehrzad |last2=Rahimkhani |first2=Kourosh |title=Postrevolutionary Iran: A Political Handbook |date=2018 |publisher=Syracuse University Press |page=344}}</ref>, and additionally adhere to chauvinism<ref>{{cite book |last=Azimi |first=Fakhreddin |title=Quest for Democracy in Iran: A Century of Struggle Against Authoritarian Rule |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=2008|page=253|isbn=978-0674027787}}</ref>, irredentism<ref>{{cite book|last=Weinbaum|first=Marvin|title=Iran finds a party system: the institutionalization of Iran Novin|year=1973 |number=4|volume=27|pages=439–455|journal=[[The Middle East Journal]]|jstor=4325140}}</ref>, and expansionism<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chubin|first1=Shahram|last2=Zabih|first2=Sepehr|title=The Foreign Relations of Iran: A Developing State in a Zone of Great-power Conflict|publisher=University of California Press|year=1974|page=[https://archive.org/details/foreignrelations0000chub/page/15 15]|isbn=978-0520026834|url=https://archive.org/details/foreignrelations0000chub/page/15}}</ref>

However, after Pezeshkpour's return to Iran, he and other former party leaders denounced the fascist structure and symbolism of the organization, claiming their commitment to plurality and democracy, and their willingness to cooperate with other opposition groups. However, their current activity seems to reflect their claim, as not much cases of violence and extremism has occurred under the new leadership.

The PIP has also engaged in violence against dissidents from time to time, specifically the [[communist]] Tudeh party.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Disintegration of Iranian National Front: Causes and Motives|journal=The 1953 Coup d'Etat in Iran|volume=19|issue=3|date=1987|pages=261–286|publisher=Cambridge University Press|author=Mark J. Gasiorowski|doi=10.1017/s0020743800056737|s2cid=154201459 }}</ref>  Some members in Iran and abroad have been arrested for their involvement in political activity.<ref>[https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e6f68372b.html Elderly Iranian party member arrested] ''UNHCR''</ref><ref>[https://globalvoices.org/2012/11/23/iran-ten-members-of-pan-iranist-party-arrested/ Iran: Ten Members of Pan-Iranist Party Arrested] ''Global Voices''</ref><ref>[https://persianbanoo.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/eight-members-of-the-pan-iranist-party-arrested/ Eight Members Of The Pan-Iranist Party Arrested] ''Persia Banoo''</ref><ref>[https://english.paniranist.org/hrana-political-activist-hojat-kalashi-arrested.php/ HRANA: Political Activist, Hojat Kalashi Arrested] ''The Pan Iranist Party''</ref><ref>[https://www.en-hrana.org/milad-dehghan-political-activist-arrested/ Milad Dehghan, political activist arrested] ''HRANA'' December 11, 2012</ref><ref>[https://www.en-hrana.org/hojat-kalashi-and-eight-political-activists-arrested/ Hojat Kalashi and Eight Political Activists Arrested] ''HRANA'' June 24, 2011</ref><ref>[https://english.paniranist.org/pan-iranist-party-members-released-after-being-arrested-for-national-security.php/ Pan Iranist Party members released after being arrested for ‘national security breaches’] ''The Pan Iranist Party''</ref><ref>[https://www.rferl.org/amp/elderly_iran_party_member_arrested/24313120.html Elderly Iranian Party Member Arrested] ''RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberity'' August 30, 2011 21:59 GMT</ref><ref>[https://www.en-hrana.org/tag/milad-dehghan/ Milad Dehghan is released on the bail] ''HRANA'' April 29, 2013</ref><ref>[https://globalvoices.org/2012/11/23/iran-ten-members-of-pan-iranist-party-arrested/amp/ Iran: Ten Members of Pan-Iranist Party Arrested] ''Global Voices'' 23 November 2012</ref>.

==History==
The party was founded in 1951 by {{wpl|Mohsen Pezeshkpour}} and {{wpl|Dariush Forouhar}} several years after the {{wpl|Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran}} during [[World War II]]. During this time, many Iranians felt insecure about their national safety and saw the [[Shah]] as a puppet and a traitor. In response to this, several students banded together into groups and founded a small far-right organization that would later grow into the Pan-Iranist Party.<ref>[https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1951-54IranEd2/d192 192. Memorandum From the Chief of the Iran Branch, Near East and Africa Division (Waller) to the Chief of the Near East and Africa Division, Directorate of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Roosevelt)1] ''Office of the Historian''</ref>

The party was somewhat influential within the country before its ban. However, alliances with other nationalist groups were rare or non-existent as most were officially banned. Most male and female members wore uniforms not unlike those of European fascists. Forouhar strongly opposed this, though the paramilitary nature of the party was largely symbolic, and members did not carry weapons. However, some members were not required to wear uniforms.

==Present day==
[[File:Flag of Pan-Iranist-Party alt.svg|thumb|165 px|right|Another flag design. [[Nazi Party|This looks familiar]]...]]
Many hardline conservative Iranian politicians today have adopted the general attitude of the party in regards to the tensions and conflict with [[Saudi Arabia]], seeing them through a somewhat racialized lens.<ref>[https://intpolicydigest.org/pan-iranism-new-tactics-of-conservatives-in-iran/ Pan-Iranism: New Tactics of Conservatives in Iran] Internet Digest Policy</ref> In addition, online youth groups have helped to spread the popularity of the party and its movement and ideology across the internet to Iranian diaspora worldwide (similar to [[India]]n nationalist/[[Hindutva]] movements for Indian diaspora worldwide).<ref>[https://tif.ssrc.org/2022/10/12/online-hindutva-as-a-global-right-wing-counterpublic/ Online Hindutva as a global right-wing counterpublic] ''The Immanent Frame''</ref>

The current leadership, headed by Zahra Gholamipour (a right wing leader), believes in a more democratic style of government and cooperating with parties and politicians across the political spectrum. However, there are currently no known/public instances of these alliances yet.

Due to [[Iran]]'s changing religious demographics, [[Islam]] is no longer the dominant religion, which may possibly affect the Pan-Iranist Party's treatment and view towards Islam and muslims in future events, especially with the increase of [[Christian]]s, [[Zoroastrian]]s, and [[atheist]]s and growing hatred and hostility against Islam.<ref>[https://theconversation.com/irans-secular-shift-new-survey-reveals-huge-changes-in-religious-beliefs-145253 Iran’s secular shift: new survey reveals huge changes in religious beliefs] ''The Conversation'' September 10, 2020 7:14am EDT</ref> And given the country's rising secularism (which the party also adheres to), they could easily gain wider support in mainstream online circles.<ref>[https://old.iranintl.com/en/iran/iranians-have-lost-their-faith-according-survey Iranians have lost their faith according to survey] ''Iran International'' Tuesday, 25 Aug 2020 01:25 </ref><ref>[https://gamaan.org/2020/08/25/iranians-attitudes-toward-religion-a-2020-survey-report/ Iranians’ Attitudes Toward Religion: A 2020 Survey Report] ''GAMAAN'' August 25, 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/irans-islamic-leaders-face-a-crisis-of-faith-as-protests-swell-11670709247 Iran’s Islamic Leaders Face a Crisis of Faith as Protests Swell] By Sune Engel Rasmussen Dec. 11, 2022 8:00 am ET</ref><ref>[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/01634437221147633 Alt-right and authoritarian memetic alliances: global mediations of hate within the rising Farsi manosphere on Iranian social media] ''SageJournals'' January 12, 2023</ref>

==See also==
*[[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] - its Indian equivalent.
*[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] - another Indian equivalent.

==External links==
*[https://english.paniranist.org/ Their website]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Far-right political parties]]
[[Category:Fascism]]
[[Category:Imperialism]]
[[Category:Irredentism]]
[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian politics]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Secularism]]

Categories: Far-right political parties, Fascism, Imperialism, Irredentism, Iran, Iranian politics, Racism, Secularism