The Silent Exodus: How a Theocratic Revolution Silenced a Nation's Arts and Forged a New Cultural Capital in America

1. Outlawing of Music and Western Influence: One of the most immediate and profound changes was the outlawing of much of the music that had thrived under the previous Pahlavi dynasty. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the new Supreme Leader, famously claimed that music was "intoxicating" and contrary to Islamic principles. This blanket ban initially covered virtually all forms of non-religious music, striking at the heart of the popular and classical music industry.