Roll on the Shah

The Shah came to power in a CIA sponsored coup in 1935 by overthrowing the nationalist government of Mahammed Mossadiq. Oil companies were immediately denationalised. It was a bonanza for the US and British monopolies. The Soviet Union, too, asked for a stake in Iran's oil industry.

With total foreign domination of the oil industry, Iran became the second largest exporter of crude oil in the world. Iran was made the main supplier of oil to the isolated fascisms of South Africa and Israel. Before striking oil workers stopped the flow to these countries, Iran supplied 90% of South Africa's oil. South Africa's petrol prices have rocketted and as the search for new sources began, legislation was being prepared making it illegal to divulge the country's oil sources. Israel is meanwhile negotiating with Egypt to replace its shortfall.

Despite its massive oil exports, the Iranian people have gained little benefit. That profit that did not disappear to the foreign monopolies ended up part of the Shah's family fortune. That fortune exceeds $ (US) 25 billion invested mainly in a supposed chanty — the Pahlavi foundation (Pahlavi is the Shah's family name).

The Shah's family has extensive properties in the United States. They also own 5% of the First National Wisconsin Corporation Bank and about 50% of the Canal Street Development project in New Orleans.

The Shah used the revenue from the large rise in oil prices in 1973 to build Iran's armed forces into the most powerful and modern in the Middle East. He actively pursued the role of regional gendarme in defence of the US interests. The armed forces were strictly disciplined by an officer elite drawn exclusively from the upper classes. The pride of the armed forces was the Shah's personal Imperial Guard — the "Immortals".