Explaining the Impact of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on the Arab World and Islamic Movements Based on Diffusion Theory

The Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, as one of the most important political and social developments of the 20th century, left a wide impact on Islamic societies, especially Arab countries. By presenting a new model of popular religious rule, the discourse of resistance, and the rejection of subjugation, it was able to inspire Islamic movements in the region and answer the question of whether the revolution was effective? The hypothesis is based on the fact that the Islamic Revolution of Iran, in addition to its political and security consequences, carried a cultural and civilizational burden that was able to be reflected in Arab societies, and this reflection is visible not only at the level of intellectual and religious elites, but also among the masses of the people. Concepts such as "theology of resistance", "Islamic unity", "Islamic lifestyle", and "religious rituals" as soft elements of the power of the Islamic Revolution have played an important role in transmitting its message to the Arab world. The present article, with an analytical and descriptive aim and approach, and by benefiting from the principles of diffusion theory, examines the various dimensions of this influence in the political, cultural, and social spheres, and analyzes case examples from countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Bahrain, and Yemen. Also, the role of structuralist and cultural diffusion theories in explaining this phenomenon has been considered.