Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the Shah (king) of Iran from 1941 until 1979. He ascended to the throne during World War II and sought to modernize and secularize Iran, promoting economic development and social reforms. However, his regime faced criticism for authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and censorship. Discontent grew, leading to the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which resulted in his overthrow and the establishment of an Islamic Republic. Pahlavi's reign is marked by significant change in Iran’s political landscape and ongoing debates about modernization, tradition, and governance.