Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi entered the world on the 26th of October 1919 in Tehran. He was born to Reza Khan, a Brigadier-General of the Persian Cossack Brigade, and his second wife Tadj ol-Molouk. The future Shah grew up as the eldest son among eleven children. His father was a man of Mazandarani origin who rose from humble beginnings to command elite Russian-trained troops. Reza Khan had once served in the Anglo-Persian War of 1856 before seizing power decades later.
Reza Khan ruled with a violent temper that terrified those around him. He would kick subordinates in the groin if they failed to follow orders. This harsh discipline shaped Mohammad Reza into a deeply scared and insecure boy. The Crown Prince lacked self-confidence during his childhood years. He lived under the shadow of a dominating father who believed fathers should not show love to sons. Reza Khan denied his favorite child affection until he became a teenager.
Tadj ol-Molouk provided the only emotional support for her young son. She was an assertive woman from Georgia who believed dreams were messages from another world. Her family had emigrated to mainland Iran after Russia forced Iran to cede territories in the Caucasus. She sacrificed lambs to bring good fortune and clad her children with protective amulets. These rituals aimed to ward off the evil eye.
The Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński observed old photographs showing the contrast between father and son. Reza Khan appeared self-confident and assured in his uniform while Mohammad Reza looked nervous and jittery standing beside him. The Crown Prince grew up surrounded by women including his mother, older sister Shams, and twin sister Ashraf. They provided psychological nourishment that his father withheld.
World War II changed everything for Iran in the summer of 1941. Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union breaking the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Britain wished to ship arms to the Soviets via Iranian railroads but German managers refused cooperation. Soviet and British diplomats warned that they regarded the presence of Germans administering state railroads as a threat implying war if dismissed.
On the 25th of August 1941 British and Australian naval forces attacked the Persian Gulf while the Soviet Union conducted a land invasion from the north. The Iranian military collapsed with thousands of terrified officers deserting their posts. A group of senior generals called the Crown Prince to receive his blessing to discuss surrender terms. When Reza Khan learned of this meeting he flew into a rage attacking General Ahmad Nakhjavan with his riding crop.
The collapse humiliated Mohammad Reza who vowed never to see Iran defeated like that again. On the 16th of September 1941 Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Foroughi announced Reza Shah's resignation. The next day at 4:30 p.m. Mohammad Reza took the oath of office. He was twenty-two years old when he became monarch. Streets filled with people welcoming the new Shah jubilantly though perhaps more out of relief than affection.
British officials wanted to restore a Qajar claimant but Prince Hamid Mirza did not speak Persian. The main Soviet interest was ensuring political stability for Allied supplies so they accepted Mohammad Reza's ascension. This massive supply route became known as the Persian Corridor. Much credit went to Mohammad Ali Foroughi who orchestrated a smooth transition despite suffering from angina.
A general amnesty issued two days after accession rehabilitated political personalities disgraced during Reza Shah's reign. The forced unveiling policy inaugurated in 1935 was overturned. Despite these enlightened decisions British ministers reported the young Shah received spontaneous welcome possibly due to relief at his father's disappearance rather than public affection for himself.
By the early 1950s political crisis brewed in Iran commanding attention from British and American leaders. Mohammad Mosaddegh won election as prime minister in 1951 committed to nationalizing petroleum controlled by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Parliament unanimously voted to shut out the immensely profitable company which provided Britain political clout in the region.
American decision-makers eventually lost patience fearing communists were poised to overthrow the government. Before the 1952 presidential election British government invited Central Intelligence Agency officer Kermit Roosevelt Jr. to London proposing collaboration on a secret plan. Operation Ajax hinged on orders signed by Mohammad Reza dismissing Mosaddegh replacing him with General Fazlollah Zahedi.
Roosevelt returned to Iran on the 13th of July 1953 lying down on a car seat covered by a blanket as guards waved him through palace gates. He explained the mission to the Shah who received $1 million in Iranian currency stored in a large safe. The exchange rate stood at 1,000 rial to 15 US dollars making this a bulky cache of cash.
On the 16th of August 1953 right wing Army attacked appointing General Zahedi as prime minister but failed dismally. The Shah fled to Baghdad then Rome while Ettelaat newspaper called defeat humiliating. During his exile in Rome a British diplomat reported the monarch spent most time in nightclubs with Queen Soraya or latest mistress writing he hated taking decisions and lacked moral courage.
Princess Ashraf visited him on the 29th of July 1953 berating him into signing decree dismissing Mossaddegh. On the 18th of August 1953 pro-Shah partisans bribed with $100,000 finally appeared marching south Tehran into city center. Gangs controlled streets overturning Tudeh trucks beating anti-Shah activists. That evening Loy W. Henderson suggested Ardashir not harm Mosaddegh allowing him life in internal exile instead of execution.
Prior to 1973 oil embargo Iran spearheaded OPEC aim for higher prices. When raising costs Iran pointed out rising inflation justifying increases. After Yom Kippur War Arab states employed oil embargo against Western nations in 1973 though Shah declared neutrality seeking benefit from lack crude supply.
Shah held meeting Persian Gulf producers declaring they should double price second time year resulting oil shock crippling Western economies while Iran saw rapid growth revenues. Iranian oil incomes doubled to $4.6 billion 1973-1974 spiking to $17.8 billion following year. As result Shah established himself dominant figure OPEC controlling prices production.
Iran experienced economic growth rate 33% 1973 and 40% next year GNI expanded 50% following year. Shah's oil coup signaled United States lost ability influence Iranian foreign economic policy. Under Shah Iran dominated Middle Eastern exports making one fastest-growing economies among developed developing worlds.
During 37-year rule Iran spent billions dollars industry education health military spending. Between 1950 and 1979 real GDP per capita nearly tripled from about $2700 to about $7700 international dollars. Manufacturing increased substantially creating new industrialist class insulated threats foreign competition.
On the 26th of October 1967 twenty-six years reign as Shah Mohammad Reza took ancient title Shāhanshāh Emperor King Kings lavish coronation ceremony Tehran. He chose wait until moment assume title believing did not deserve it earlier saying no honor being Emperor poor country viewed Iran until then.
October 1971 marked anniversary 2,500 years continuous Persian monarchy since founding Achaemenid Empire Cyrus Great. Concurrent celebration changed benchmark Iranian calendar Hijrah beginning First Persian Empire measured from Cyrus coronation. At Persepolis Shah had elaborate fireworks show sending dual message faithfulness ancient traditions transcending past becoming modern nation.
Next day Parade Persian History performed at Persepolis when 6,000 soldiers dressed uniforms every dynasty Achaemenids Pahlavis marched past Mohammad Reza grand parade many contemporaries remarked surpassed sheer spectacle florid celluloid imaginations Hollywood epics. To complete message Shah finished celebrations opening brand new museum Tehran Shahyad Aryamehr housed very modernistic building attended another parade newly opened Aryamehr Stadium intended give compressed time antiquity modernity.
Brochure put up by Celebration Committee explicitly stated message Only change extremely rapid past ten years proved so does past attain new unsuspected values worth cultivating going on say celebrations held because Iran begun feel confident modernization.
Political unrest grew throughout Iran late 1970s making Shah's position untenable by Cinema Rex fire Jaleh Square massacre. 1979 Guadeloupe Conference saw Western allies state no feasible way save Iranian monarchy overthrown. Shah ultimately left Iran exile January 1979 though told some Western contemporaries would rather leave country than fire own people.
Estimates total number deaths during Islamic Revolution range from 540 to 2,000 figures independent studies to 60,000 figures Islamic government. After formally abolishing Iranian monarchy Shia Islamist cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini assumed leadership Supreme Leader Iran.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi born and where?
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi entered the world on the 26th of October 1919 in Tehran. He was born to Reza Khan, a Brigadier-General of the Persian Cossack Brigade, and his second wife Tadj ol-Molouk.
How did World War II affect Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's rule?
World War II changed everything for Iran in the summer of 1941 when British and Australian naval forces attacked the Persian Gulf while the Soviet Union conducted a land invasion from the north. On the 16th of September 1941 Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Foroughi announced Reza Shah's resignation and the next day at 4:30 p.m. Mohammad Reza took the oath of office as monarch.
What role did Operation Ajax play in Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's history?
Operation Ajax hinged on orders signed by Mohammad Reza dismissing Mosaddegh replacing him with General Fazlollah Zahedi. Roosevelt returned to Iran on the 13th of July 1953 lying down on a car seat covered by a blanket as guards waved him through palace gates to explain the mission to the Shah.
Why did Ayatollah Khomeini oppose Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the White Revolution?
Ayatollah Khomeini said fate of Iran should never be decided by women during his sermons calling for Shah's overthrow after referendum approving changes allowed women to vote. Nationwide demonstrations took place across Iran in 1963 and 1964 centered on holy city Qom where students studying to become imams were most active protesting against rule.
How much money did Iran earn from oil between 1973 and 1974 under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi?
Iranian oil incomes doubled to $4.6 billion 1973-1974 spiking to $17.8 billion following year. As result Shah established himself dominant figure OPEC controlling prices production while Iranian oil incomes doubled to $4.6 billion 1973-1974.