Why did the US support Reza Shah for so long?

Answer 1

Mohamad reza shah pahlavi aka aryamehr was the consistently the most pro US leader in Middle East during his 37 reign. Iran's economy and military and anything in between was some how modeled Americans.He was the first Muslim leader to establish realtionship with Israel and urged president saddat of Egypt to make peace with the Jewish state. He aligned Iran's interest with that of USA in the region and was instrumental in keeping Soviet Union's ambitions in check by signing many military agreements with US. Ironically in his last interview with David forest in Panama , the shah blamed the US for his ouster. The shah had grown very powerfull and was begining to move away from US camp, this led to falling in favor with US and his fall from power. He did what he could to keep Iran growing and being in peace with its neighbors in that very volitale region.
Oil, plain and simple. U.S. and Britains have been tangled up in the oil business in the Mideast for many years. Brits started all this. Churchill was key, initially. Later, Truman refused to involve the U.S. but, later, Eisenhower accept Brit BS that they would turn Commies if U.S. didn't help. U.S. got tangled up in Iran and then with Israel and now Iraq and Afghanistan.

Answer 2

It is worth noting that Iran has had hundreds of Shahs, most living before the US even existed as country. As a result, most were not supported by the US.

Assuming this question is referring specifically to the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, the US supported him because he was amenable to US business interests and allowed them easy access to oil. More importantly (politically), he was neither communist nor Islamic fundamentalist and did not represent a threat to neighboring countries in the Middle East.

Answer 3

Answer #1:

There are three main reasons.

Historical Relationship: The Shah had been an ally of the United States during his entire reign. As a result, there was a historical relationship between him and the United States.

American Coup d'État: The United States was the country that restored the Shah to the throne and as a result, there is a strong connection for the Shah to the United States.

License to Kill Dictators: If the Shah was returned to Iran, he would face a kangaroo court and be summarily executed. This would send a flag to any dictator anywhere in the world who was Pro-American that America will only protect you until you are deposed, leading to defections to the Soviets who would continue to protect them. To show that America looks after its foreign policy interests, he was not handed over.

Of course, to Iranians who wanted to exact justice on their tyrant, these were not acceptable reasons.

Answer #2: The US did not necessarily shelter Shah Pahlavi. After his exile from Iran when Ayatollah Khomeini was voted into power he traveled from country to country seeking shelter, when he was in Mexico as a guest of Jose Lopez Portillo, the Mexican president of the time, he required immediate surgery which he elected to have done in the US. Thinking it wouldn't be a long stay and the Shah would leave the country after the surgery, then-president Jimmy Carter allowed him to have the surgery done in the US. Although we supported the Shah (And ultimately was the reason he was put in power after the CIA deposed Mosaddegh), the US harboring of an exile upset the new Islamic administration of Iran and the US did not want to anger them as they were still upset that the CIA deposed Mosaddegh 38 years prior. It is thought that the kidnapping of American citizens that happened in Tehran while the Shah was in the US was a direct result of allowing the Shah into the US. After his recovery, he then continued his travels while Iran futilely attempted to have him extradited from Panama until finally being granted permanent asylum in Egypt under then-president Anwar El-Sadat where he stayed for the remainder of his life, which wasn't very long as he died from complications from non-Hodgkins lymphoma (A type of cancer) shortly after.

Answer 4

The United States was not involved in the British-Soviet operation to force the resignation of Reza Pahlavi for his son in 1941. The United States was involved in the coup d'état used to restore Mohammed Reza Pahlavi to the Imperial Throne in 1953. They did this at the whim of the British who desired the petroleum rights that were being denied them by the Mossadegh Regime. This act is seen by most Iranians to have been a cruel denial of their right to self-determination and nationalization of their own territorial resources.

Answer 5

The United States did not support Shah Reza Pahlavi nor did they oppose him. The United States foreign policy prior to World War II (when Reza Pahlavi ruled) was minimal and therefore most American administrations did not have an issue or position with his leadership.

The United States would come to support his son and successor Mohammed Reza Pahlavi as the Shah of Iran.

Answer 6

You are likely referring to Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The US was largely disinterested in Iran during the rule of his father Shah Reza Pahlavi, who was supported primarily by the British.

The reason that the US supported the Shah was because of his west-leaning foreign and domestic policies. Specifically, he allowed the UK to maintain direct control of Iran's petroleum wealth. Iran was also industrializing and developing and maintained an opposition to the Soviet Union, which was on its borders. Iran also provided the US large amounts of oil, especially helping to offset the Arab Oil Embargo in 1973. Iran also maintained good ties with Israel, in accordance with US interests in that regard.

Answer 7

The us is smart....

Shah is mental...

so us help him and it all betta now

Answer 8

Yes. The United States supported Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.