By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS 
Shah of Iran
The history of Iran in the 20th century is riddled with distortions, particularly when discussing the events of 1953. A prevailing narrative among leftist academics and media in the West asserts that Mohammad Mosaddeq was a democratically elected leader, overthrown by a U.S.-backed coup to restore the "tyranny" of the Shah. This version of history, often used to demonize both the Pahlavi monarchy and Western influence, is grossly inaccurate. I write today as an Iranian-American with roots in the Safavid dynasty to set the record straight. Mosaddeq was no democrat; he was a puppet of the Communist Tudeh Party, and the Shah was a beloved ruler, not the tyrant his detractors claim.
Mosaddeq: A Communist Puppet, Not a Democrat
Mohammad Mosaddeq is often described as a heroic nationalist who stood up to British imperialism and the Shah. However, this ignores key facts about his political affiliations and motives. Mosaddeq was not a democrat in the sense of respecting constitutional rule. He was a member of the Iranian parliament under the Shah’s constitutional monarchy and owed his political career to the very system he later undermined. His ascent to the role of Prime Minister in 1951 was made possible by a coalition of opportunists, including the Communist Tudeh Party (Hezb Tudeh), which sought to destabilize Iran for its own ends.
The Tudeh Party's influence over Mosaddeq cannot be overstated. While he publicly portrayed himself as a nationalist opposing foreign exploitation of Iran’s oil, he was heavily reliant on Tudeh activists who promoted strikes, riots, and chaos under the guise of supporting his government. Mosaddeq’s so-called "democratic" policies included dismantling institutions that upheld the Shah's constitutional role, attempting to concentrate power in his own hands, and fostering instability that opened the door for Communist infiltration.
The Shah Was Not a Tyrant—He Was Loved
Reza Shah Pahlavi and his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, are unfairly portrayed as tyrants in revisionist histories. In reality, the Pahlavi dynasty was the architect of modern Iran. Under the Shah, Iran experienced unprecedented economic growth, infrastructure development, and modernization. Women were given the right to vote, access education, and shed the oppressive chador. The Shah emphasized education, industrialization, and a progressive vision of Iranian society.
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the deep respect many Iranians had for the Shah. My family, whose lineage traces back to Safavid royalty, held the Pahlavi dynasty in high regard as protectors of Iranian sovereignty and culture. Mohammad Reza Shah’s White Revolution, a series of sweeping reforms including land redistribution and women's rights, uplifted millions of Iranians from poverty and feudal oppression. Contrary to the narrative of tyranny, the Shah was deeply committed to constitutional rule but faced relentless sabotage from Islamist radicals and Communists.
1953: A Necessary Intervention
The events of 1953, often labeled a CIA-engineered coup, were far more complex than Western critics admit. Mosaddeq’s illegal dissolution of parliament and unconstitutional seizure of power left the Shah with no choice but to act. Article 46 of the Iranian Constitution gave the Shah the authority to dismiss a Prime Minister who had overstepped his bounds, which is precisely what happened. When Mosaddeq refused to step down, it was the Iranian people—not just foreign powers—who took to the streets to support the Shah.
The intervention in 1953 prevented Iran from falling under Communist rule at the height of the Cold War. With the Tudeh Party waiting in the wings, a Mosaddeq victory would have turned Iran into another satellite state of the Soviet Union. This would have spelled the end of Iran’s independence, culture, and monarchy.
Conclusion: Restoring the Shah’s Legacy
The vilification of the Shah and the glorification of Mosaddeq are products of leftist propaganda, both in Iran and the West. As an Iranian-American Christian conservative, I am deeply grateful for the Pahlavi dynasty’s contributions to Iran’s development and its stand against both Islamism and Communism. Mosaddeq was no champion of democracy—he was a Communist puppet whose actions jeopardized Iran’s future. The Shah, in contrast, was a beloved ruler whose vision and reforms brought Iran into the modern world.
It is time for Iranians and the world to reassess the truth about 1953 and recognize the Shah’s legacy as a beacon of progress and patriotism. Let us honor the memory of a leader who sought to protect Iran from the twin evils of Islamism and Communism and reject the lies perpetuated by those who benefited from his fall.
Citations
- Milani, Abbas. The Shah. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
- Elm, Mostafa. Oil, Power, and Principle: Iran's Oil Nationalization and Its Aftermath. Syracuse University Press, 1992.
- Abrahamian, Ervand. Iran Between Two Revolutions. Princeton University Press, 1982.
- Gasiorowski, Mark J. "The 1953 Coup D’état in Iran." International Journal of Middle East Studies, vol. 19, no. 3, 1987, pp. 261-286.
- Keddie, Nikki R. Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution. Yale University Press, 2003.
No comments:
Post a Comment