The Islamic Republic of Iran turns 40

February 11, 2020 marks the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that ended the pro western monarchy under the despotic rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and ushered in the Islamic Republic headed by tyrannical Ayatollah Khomeini (from the frying pan into the fire, as the saying goes). Reza Pahlavi, the founder of the dynasty came into power following a 1921, British backed, coup d'état. He ended up falling foul of the British, however, owing to his pro German sympathies and was forced to resign in favour of his son, the Crown Prince Mohammad Reza, after the British and Soviets invaded the country in 1941. The new Shah was not as ruthless as his father, but was authoritarian, nonetheless, and in the early 50's he found himself in conflict with his democratic Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh. Once again, the British interfered; this time with the help of the CIA, and democracy was crushed in 1953, in what was known as Operation Ajax. Mosaddegh was confined to house-arrest until his death, but many of his associates were not so lucky and were cruelly purged. Against this backdrop, it is not difficult to see why the revolution garnered so much support. The documentary below provides a perfect example of the excesses of the Shah and his neglect of his duties towards the citizens of Iran.