Khomeini’s speeches are a testament to the power of deliberate tactics and control over one’s emotions. Despite not actually believing the messages he was conveying, Khomeini was able to effectively transmit power and firmness through his body language and speech style. His stable body movements and gestures helped to create an aura of stability and control, while his left hand, rather than his right that was injured in an assassination attempt, further reinforced this impression.
According to Beshen, Khomeini’s use of a calm and monotone speech style served as a motif of intimidation. Despite the lack of credibility in his statements, Khomeini was able to turn the audience in his favor through his stable body movements and gestures. Some may question Khomeini’s sanity, but Beshen argues that he is not a psychopath. While he exhibited extreme political and religious expressions, there are no clear signs of mental illness in his personality. The combination of anger and a slight smile in his expressions may indicate a certain level of madness, but ultimately Khomeini’s ability to maintain control over his body language and emotions allowed him to effectively communicate his messages, regardless of their credibility.