Founded in 1953 as a specifically anti-Baha'i­ organization by a charismatic Shiite Muslim cleric, the Hojjatieh Society has today re-emerged in Iran as an influential if secretive faction that has been linked in news articles and web blogs with the current Iranian administration.

During the 1979 Iranian revolution, the Society played an important role in stirring animosity against Baha'is. However, in part because of differences in theology "among other things the Hojjatieh believe a truly Islamic state cannot be established until the return of the 12th Imam "the Society fell into disfavor and was banned by the regime in 1984.

Outside observers have connected the Society's re-emergence with the return of hardliners to positions of power in the government, including the president who has frequently stated his expectation that the 12th Imam will return soon.