His son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, continued this modernization agenda after World War II, aligning closely with Western powers, particularly the United States. Under his reign, experienced significant economic growth, industrialization, and social reform, including expanded rights for women. However, these developments were accompanied by increasing authoritarianism, the concentration of power, widespread corruption, and the notorious role of the security apparatus in silencing opposition.
The 1979 revolution ended the monarchy and forced the Pahlavi family into exile. Since then, they have lived primarily outside Iran, while the Islamic Republic has defined itself in direct opposition to the former royal system. Official state narratives portray the Pahlavi era as one of dependency, repression, and inequality, whereas supporters emphasize modernization, national sovereignty, and relative social freedoms compared to the present.
