Before the progressive reforms brought forth by the Shah Reza Pahlavi were overthrown, Iran was a different nation. There was room for warmth and prosperity. Many believed the Shah’s rule to be a corrupt regime strongly influenced and supported by North America, which ultimately led to discontent amidst the Islamic population and the Shiite clergy.
But before the brutal repression on behalf of law enforcement, as well as month-long protests, ended in the Shah’s exile, the country had enjoyed economic and educational growth under Pahlavi’s rule. But ultimately, his attempt at maintaining a pro-Western government in Iran failed. The Shah’s defeat proved to be the ultimate victory of the Ayatolla Jomeini, who returned to Iran on February 1, 1979.
His return implied one thing: the proclamation of the Islamic Republic, which also included a constitution reflecting the ideals of the Islamic government. Fundamentalist measures were taken almost immediately and committees of revolutionaries were sent to patrol the streets in order to ensure people followed the new code of dress and behavior. This new regime was tasked with erasing any remains of Western influence. However, it wasn’t until November 4 of that same year, when a group of students took control of the US embassy in Tehran, that the Anti-American sentiment became quite clear. 52 American citizens remained hostage until 1980 when the new Iran declared war against the West.
The first years of this revolutionary government were defined by a complete repression against political opposition. On September 1980, war broke between Iran and Iraq which led to a tragic conflict between both nations while also strengthened the Shiite dictatorship. In 1988, the war came to an end, and in 1989, Jomeini’s death led to a new era of Islamic Iran.
What history seems to forget is that, prior to the war, opposition, and political turmoil tore the nation apart, Iran was ruled by a regime that repressed dissidence and restricted political liberties. But this rule also came with secular modernization geared towards Western values that permitted some cultural freedom. Iran’s economy and educational opportunities flourished under the Shah. Great Britain and the US viewed Iran as their main ally in the Middle East, which resulted in large regions of the country to be industrialized. In part, the Shah’s increasingly authoritarian measures and his underestimation of the multiparty law slowly allowed for the Islamic Revolution takeover.
For 40 years the Shah created radical changes in Iran. These images show a clear picture of love and opulence in a country we’ve grown to connect with conflict and repression.
These photographs taken by several journalists and photographers make it easy to spot the differences between the Sha’s westernization through modernization and the restriction of dissidence, with the post-revolutionary Iran. They’re shocking not only for the luxury and fashion we observe, but the freedom enjoyed by the population, to be out in the streets and doing a myriad of activities.
Most of these portraits include the Shah Reza Pahlavi with his wife and entourage. The royal family is photographed even outside their Tehran palace. There are even pictures of the Shah with some political figures.
Each image seems to serve as evidence of the distance set between a luxurious Iran and one of repression we see today.
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Translated by María Suárez
