President Mohammad-Ali Rajai; From Sarvan and Zabul to New York

He also participated in negotiations over American hostages. While discussing the hostage situation at the United Nations in October 1980, he famously blamed the US for his arrest by the shah’s secret police and showed the audience his bare right foot, telling them that the Shah’s interrogators had been beaten the soles of his feet and had torn out his toenails. When the IRP-dominated parliament impeached Banisadr, forcing him to flee the country, it also backed Rajai for president. Once again, Rajai received Khomeini’s blessing.