*Author: Dr. Tomaj Arian
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was the king of Iran from 1941 to 1979, for a period of 37 years. During these 37 years, he accomplished significant works and took actions that were beneficial for Iran and Iranians, and he also made speeches that predicted the future of Iran to some extent.
In brief, I will address these actions and speeches.
1. His first action was helping Qavam become Prime Minister in 1945.
Qavam, with his high political intelligence, took Azerbaijan back from the Soviet Union. Of course, the actions and behavior of Ashraf Pahlavi during her trip to Moscow with Qavam were also influential, as well as Mohammad Reza Shah’s order to the military to reclaim Azerbaijan.
2. The second action of Mohammad Reza Shah was his support and assistance in the nationalization of the oil industry.
Although this movement later faced defeat due to the actions of Mosaddegh.
3. His third action was the removal of Mosaddegh from the position of Prime Minister.
This action, considering Mosaddegh’s behaviors, saved Iran from division, chaos, and being consumed by the Soviet Union. Mosaddegh’s actions were leading Iran to the brink of disaster, and Mohammad Reza Shah, with the help and advice of the Americans, prevented this downfall.
4. The fourth action of Mohammad Reza Shah was the White Revolution, which eliminated traditional landowners and feudal lords, paving the way for industrial and cultural development. It also granted women the right to vote and created provincial and local councils, which were the pillars for the establishment of democracy in Iran, although it did not reach its full conclusion.
5. The fifth action of Mohammad Reza Shah was the removal of aging government officials, many of whom were loyal to Britain. This action began with the premiership of Hassan Ali Mansour, and after his assassination, it continued with the premiership of Hoveyda. The extraordinary economic and social progress of the 1960s and 1970s was owed to these actions.
6. The sixth action of Mohammad Reza Shah was the recovery of the three strategic islands in the Persian Gulf and the 1975 Algiers Agreement with Iraq, which completely removed the threat of war with Iraq.
7. Mohammad Reza Shah was a skilled political player and made excellent use of the conflicts between the East and West.
Two examples of exploiting these conflicts include the purchase of steel mills and the acquisition of heavy weapons from the Soviet Union.
Mohammad Reza Shah had realized by the 1960s that if a war were to occur against Iran, it would not come from the Soviet Union but from Iraq in the West. For this reason, he built major military bases in the western part of Iran and was fully prepared for an Iraqi invasion. As a result, in 1971, when Iraq threatened a military attack, Iran immediately responded, which reflected the full preparedness of Iran’s military forces. Later, when Iraq attacked Iran in 1980, the equipment and military bases established by the Shah played a crucial role in preventing the military occupation of Iran.
8. Another prediction and analysis by Mohammad Reza Shah was the “Black and Red Alliance,” which, although initially not taken seriously, ultimately contributed to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Another prediction made by the Shah referred to the “Great Fear” in opposition to the “Great Civilization.” This “Great Fear” quickly engulfed all of Iran and the Middle East, leading to years of war and instability in Iran and the region.
9. Another prediction by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was the downfall of many governments and countries after Iran, which turned out to be true. We have witnessed one by one the countries of the Middle East falling into crisis and ruin.
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi can be considered the greatest strategist of the Middle East and Iran in modern history. He was skilled in international diplomacy and was fully fluent in both English and French.
He studied in advanced and civilized Switzerland.
He was a logical nationalist and a moderate, opposed to the radical nationalists.
He was aware of Iran’s historical weaknesses, including the deficiencies in its naval and air forces, and he worked to address and strengthen them.
He knew the region well and had designed a clear vision for the future of Iran.
Despite Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s accurate predictions, correct actions, and clear vision for the future, unfortunately, in 1979, he lost the game to the Muslim revolutionaries.
*PhD in Political Science. Writer and Political Analyst.
May his memory be blessed.