How America misunderstood Iran’s monarchy - and the Pahlavi legacy - opinion
Western views of monarchy often overlook Iran’s unique history, where kingship has long been tied to national unity and cultural identity.
The American perception of monarchy and kingship is significantly different from that in the Middle East. The United States severed ties with the British monarchy in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence and solidified this separation with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. In American political culture, the king is often portrayed as being opposed to democracy, which is a stark contrast to the historical reality of countries like Iran and the experiences of Europe.
In 1979, many American media outlets and political figures praised the dictator Ayatollah Khomeini while criticizing the West's ally, Iran's former king Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This lack of understanding stemmed from the American media's influence by Islamist and Marxist terrorists, as well as Washington political figures who had connections with Khomeini's associates, terrorist organizations, and entities linked to the KGB and Soviet Union. They failed to grasp the legitimacy and value of the Pahlavi legacy in Iran.
From Reza Shah the Great's reign in 1905 following the overthrow of the Qajar dynasty, until January 1979, neither the American media nor political figures made an effort to understand Iranian kingship, Iran's rich culture, or the monarchy's relationship with Iranian society. Reza Shah hosted a celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire's founding by Cyrus the Great in 1971, and Vice President Spiro Agnew attended as a representative of President Richard Nixon, a friend of the Shah.
However, the American media primarily focused on criticism and arguments from Marxist-Leninist leftists, radical Islamists, and Khomeinists.
Despite decades of anti-monarchy propaganda, Reza Shah remains a popular figure in Iran, with people chanting "Long Live the King" during his commemorative event. The word "shah" in Iranian literature symbolizes purity, truthfulness, and righteousness. Why should anyone object to the endurance of these virtues?
The Pahlavi dynasty remains Iran's most popular political figure and brand. Despite the anti-Pahlavi propaganda of the Shi'ite mullah regime, left-wing groups, and Marxist supporters, Iranian culture, literature, and history are deeply rooted in ancient civilization, spanning thousands of years. Iranian mothers and grandmothers still share tales of kings and kingdoms, including those of Cyrus, Darius, and others.
Hafez, a renowned Iranian poet, asks about the decline of kindness and the rise of kings in his poetry, reflecting the loss of a pillar, guardian, and father in Iranian society.
Since 1979, every subsequent figure has been more corrupt, notorious, savage, deceitful, and disastrous than the last, leading to a catastrophe. The concept of a republic is absent in Iranian culture. Ironically, some Americans are now considering a monarchy as the best form of government for Iran, contrasting sharply with their previous negative views.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
