Rabii was one of the military officials who met Robert Huyser, the deputy commander of US forces in Europe, during the latter’s visit to Iran from 4 January to 3 February 1979. Three days before leaving the country on 13 January, the Shah told all commanders, including Rabii, that they should support the government of Shapour Bakhtiar. Following the 1979 revolution clashes occurred between supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini and people loyal to the Shah regime.
Rabii instructed his men not to kill anyone on the other side. When Prime Minister Bakhtiar ordered him to bomb the arms factory in central Tehran, he refused to carry out this order. Rabii did not support the revolution, but a significant portion of the air force cadets and young skilled military technical personnel did.Ayatollah Khomeini asked Rabii to submit his resignation at his residence, and he submitted it there.Saeid Mahdioun replaced Rabii as commander of the air force.
