Liberalism in Iran

Liberalism in Iran (Persian: لیبرالیسم, romanized: Liberālism) or Iranian liberalism (Persian: آزادی‌خواهی, romanized: Āzādi-khāhi, lit. 'freedom-seeking') is a political ideology that traces its beginnings to the 20th century. It first emerged during the Constitutional Revolution through movements such as the Society for the Supporters of Progress, which promoted civil liberties, women's education, Persian linguistic unity, and democratic governance. In the 1920s, liberal and reformist ideas were carried forward by the Revival Party, whose Western-educated leaders championed secular modernization, administrative reform, industrialization, and the separation of religion and politics while supporting Reza Khan's consolidation of power. By mid-century, the Iran Party, largely composed of technocratic elites, became the intellectual backbone of the National Front, advocating liberal nationalism, democratic socialism, and secular constitutionalism. Under Mohammad Mosaddegh, the National Front implemented progressive reforms and nationalized Iran's oil industry before being removed in the 1953 CIA- and MI6-backed coup.

In the decades leading up to and following the Iranian Revolution, liberalism persisted through groups such as the Freedom Movement of Iran, which combined Islamic modernism with constitutionalism, human rights, and political pluralism. Although it supported the 1979 Revolution's initial call for political change, it soon faced repression under the new Islamic Republic. Other liberal or center-left movements, including the National Democratic Front, briefly appeared during the revolutionary transition but were swiftly banned.

Throughout the 20th century, Iranian liberalism consistently emphasized constitutional rule, civil rights, women's rights, limits on authoritarian authority, and resistance to foreign domination, yet its major organizations were repeatedly suppressed by both monarchical and theocratic regimes.