👑 How Did Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Come to Power?

The path to power was shaped by geopolitical upheavals:

• Abdication of his father Reza Shah (1941): During World War II, Britain and the Soviet Union occupied Iran to prevent German influence. Reza Shah was forced to abdicate.
• Accession with Allied backing: On September 17, 1941, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was appointed Shah by the Iranian parliament—with approval from the occupying powers.
• Consolidation of power after 1953: Following the CIA- and MI6-backed coup against democratically elected Prime Minister Mossadegh (Operation Ajax), the Shah expanded his power into an authoritarian regime.

He then ruled for nearly three decades—until the 1979 revolution finally overthrew him.

📣 How Did Khomeini Communicate from French Exile?

When Ayatollah Khomeini moved to Neauphle-le-Château near Paris in October 1978, the small village became the revolution’s command center. From there, he used modern media extremely effectively:

• Daily interviews with international media: Khomeini held press conferences and gave interviews under an apple tree in his garden—an image that spread globally.
• Tape messages and cassettes: His speeches were recorded and smuggled into Iran. They were played in mosques, markets, and protests—a 1970s form of “social media.”
• Translators and political advisors: Three close confidants—including Abolhassan Banisadr—helped shape his message for global audiences.

This blend of religious authority and media savvy made him the revolution’s voice—even from thousands of kilometers away.

How Did Iran’s Religious Leaders Govern the People?

When Ayatollah Khomeini took power in 1979, there was widespread euphoria. Millions welcomed him back from exile, seeing him as a liberator from the Shah’s autocratic rule. But unity quickly gave way to disillusionment—sooner than many expected.

When and Why Did the Mood Shift?

1. Early repression: Just months after the revolution, the new rulers began systematically eliminating opposition—leftists, liberals, nationalists, even moderate Islamists. Hopes for a pluralistic democracy were dashed.
2. Establishment of the Islamic Republic (April 1979): A referendum showed majority support, but critics argued there were no real alternatives. The new constitution granted the Supreme Leader (Khomeini) near-absolute power.
3. Forced veiling and restrictions on women’s rights: Though many women had participated in the revolution, they were soon forced to wear the hijab. This was seen by many as a betrayal of the revolution’s promises.
4. Hostage crisis at the U.S. Embassy (November 1979): Radical students seized the embassy, and the 444-day standoff led to global isolation. Domestically, the regime used the crisis to brand critics as “Western agents.”
5. Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988): The war initially unified the country, but as losses mounted, criticism grew. The regime used the conflict to tighten internal control even further.

In short: the revolution united diverse groups around one goal—the Shah’s overthrow. But afterward, the radical Islamist faction seized power and built an authoritarian regime that betrayed many original hopes.

Bonus: What Does “Mullah” Really Mean?

✅ What’s accurate about the term?

• Mullah is a traditional title for Islamic scholars, especially in Shia Islam.
• Many leaders of the Islamic Republic—like Ayatollah Khomeini—were formally trained clergy.
• The term has gained traction in Western usage to describe Iran’s theocratic rulers.

⚠️ What’s problematic about the term?

• In Iran, “mullah” is often used pejoratively—especially by secular or opposition-minded people.
• The term is vague, referring to both simple preachers and top theologians.
• Not all Iranian rulers are clerics—many are technocrats, military officers, or bureaucrats.

Conclusion

“Mullahs” is a catchy but simplistic label. It works in journalism or casual speech—but for precision and respect, it’s better to refer to “the clergy,” “the clerical establishment,” or “religious leadership.”