In the immediate aftermath of his death, the international community reacted swiftly. American, British, and Israeli officials were among the first to express their condolences. This response reflected the close ties that these nations had maintained with the Shah throughout his reign. The United States, in particular, had provided substantial military and financial support to the Iranian regime, viewing the Shah as a bulwark against Soviet expansionism in the region. The Shah’s death thus represented not only the loss of a key ally but also the beginning of a period of uncertainty for Iran and its international relationships.
One of the most striking aspects of the Shah’s death was the mystery surrounding his final moments and the speculation about the role of his medical team in his treatment. In the memoirs of Ahmad Ali Masoud Ansari, a close associate of the Shah and a relative of Farah Diba, the wife of the Shah, the events leading up to and following the Shah’s death are recounted in detail. Ansari, who had been involved in the Shah’s financial and political affairs, describes the period of time following the Shah’s death as one filled with uncertainty and intrigue.
