Since the onset of World War Il, Iran was repeatedly announcing to be impartial; but at last, the British and soviet military forces attacked and occupied it.
One of the consequences of the arrival of Mottofeqin forces into Iran was Reza Khаn’s resignation out of kingdom and his exile. First, he was transferred to Mauritiu island and then to Johannesburg in the south Africa.
Although; later on, it was revealed that the main reason of Reza Shah’s exile and resignation was advocating Nazi Germany, but investigating late years of Reza Shah dictatorship particularly in the documents of the American ministry of foreign affairs indicates that this historical narration is quite manipulated.
As a matter of fact, what caused his kingdom overthrown was the collection of his 16- year function in the position of Pahlavi kingdom.
On September 24, 1937 A.D.,”Cornelius Van Angert” the envoy of the American embassy in Tehran writes a report to his country’s foreign ministry concerning Reza Shah’s dictatorship, weakening the Constitution and constitutional system and his heedlessness with the parliament:
“It is for 16 years that the king has ruled with heedlessness with the constitution and the constitutional system. Maybe, the most confusing event is this fake and null constitutional government.
It is enough for you to read the inaugural king’s speech and the delegations’ answers to figure out that the parliament’s power and authorities have been weakened and trampled completely by the king. The unlimited power is in the hands of a person. Just the policies and measures confirmed by the king can be approached by the parliament.”[۱]
Of course, the envoy of the American embassy in Tehran was unaware of the fact that two years later the English would make Reza Khan dismissed and exiled because it was impossible for Britain to save and preserve Reza Shah’s kingdom due to personal dictatorship, tyranny against people’s rights, governmental corruption and tyranny, making tax 17 times as many, poverty and famine, the lack of foodstuff and being hated by Iranian people.[2]
Dreyfus who was one of the personnel of the American embassy in Tehran city writes: Reza Shah’s validity and prestige were blemished day by day and his chance to remain in policy scene seemed unlikely.[3] People’s hate and rage towards Reza Shah were becoming more day by day.
Ray Brock writes in an article entitled “the prediction of riot in Iran dated Sep. 11, 1941 in the New York Times that the foreign diplomats have predicted that if the king doesn’t quit the power, an uprising will happen. Three days later, this newspaper published an article entitled “the angry Iran will dismiss the King, if Britain doesn’t dismiss the Shah, the riot will happen.”[۴]
In this way, this narration that goes the English selected the third one among the following options: 1) changing kingdom system of government into republic, 2) returning to Qajar kingdom, and 3) the continuation of Pahlavi by Muhammad Reza, is altering the fact.
That the English put themselves in a crossroad was nothing but a game. The English knew Reza Khan wasn’t like by Iranian people and they had no way, but dismissing him. To appreciate his services, they wanted kingdom to be continued in his descendant. So, Muhammad Reza gained power.
In this way, the Baha’is must follow their foreign supporter; although remarkable difference hadn’t happened. The triangle of Reza Shah, England and Bahaism had now been changed into a new one: Muhammad Reza, Britain and Bahaism.
In this way, the programs of BBC Farsi mustn’t be considered as a serious opposition against Reza Shah. This was a part of a scenario. To continue and recreate power in Pahlavi dynasty in fact regarding the public atmosphere of the country such as Iranian people’s oppositions against the English and Reza Shah that they mustn’t insist on Reza Shah to be remained on power. So, they started criticizing Reza Shah’s measures.
In 1320 S.H., Shahrivar when Reza Shah was exiled and Mottafeqin forces occupied the county, the activity of Baha’ism organization in Iran entered into a new phase since 1320s to Mordad 28, 1332 S.H. During Reza Shah’s period of time, the Baha’is could influence into Pahlavi government easily and secretly, they could deepen their influence more in political, economic, cultural pillars and in military. In 1330 S.H.; due to the activities of Bahaism cult in most offices, Ayatollah Broujerdi (P.H) asked the then government and the Shah himself to announce them as illegal. Also, he announced that the king of the country should know that his soul and essence are in the hands of a Baha’i person (that is, Dr. Abdul Karim Ayadi, the special physician of the Shah).[5]
The Baha’is attempted hard to such an extent that Dr. Jazayeri, the minister of culture of Razm Ara narrated that Ahmad Yazdani, the Baha’i proselytizer and the author of the book “a glance at the Baha’i religion” (1329 S.H.) wrote a letter to Ayatollah Broaujerdi (P.H.) and invited him to Baha’i faith.[6]
In 1320s, the Bahaism organization planned and provided long- termed 10-year programs to expand and deepen its political and economic influence. So, the first operational plan was communicated to the national assembly of the Baha’is in 1332 S.H. by Shoghi Effandi. This plan had been provided to increase the members of the Baha’i cult, to influence on all parts of Iran particularly among villagers, the people of tribes and clans by running Baha’i assemblies in the regions which were in lack of assemblies to establish classes for solving problems, to gather handwritten books or printed ones including materials about the Baha’i thoughts, beliefs, morale and customary specifications and habits to be sent to the center of the Baha’is in Israel.[7]
The remarkable note is about the announcing this plan to Israel president by Shoghi Effendi. In this meeting, the president of Israel appreciated the Baha’i measures and endeavors in Israel.[8]
During the years 1320 to 1332 S.H. the Baha’is influenced on the Iranian economy and policy and tried hard to transact with foreign powers.
The remarkable note is about the Baha’is extensive and deep relationships with the U.K. in establishing and running and continuing the activities of BBC Farsi radio.
Hassan Mougher Baluzi who was one of the first level heads and historians of Bahaism was the first speaker and manager of Persian department of BBC radio. Additionally, he didn’t employ non-Baha’i and non-Jewish people.[9]
In 1321 S.H., Abul Hassan Ebtehaj was appointed as the chairman of the Iranian national bank. His father and he were Baha’is. He played a key role in overthrowing the national government of Mosaddegh and cooperated in Mordad 28, 1332 S.H. coup. He reveled all economic secrets of Moseddegh government for intelligent service agents.[10]
Source: Reza Qaribi, the Baha’i wealthy people and Pahlavi regime, pp. 53-64.
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[۱] Muhammad Qoli: Majd, 1320 S.H., the secrets of Motafeghin attack to Iran, translated by Ali Akbar Ranjbar Kermani, Tehran: the institute for the studies of contemporary history of Iran, 1397 S.H., P.40.
[۲] Ibid, P. 16.
[۳] Ibid, p. 463.
[۴] Ibid, pp. 465-466.
[۵] Michael Jawaheri, Bahaism, the anti-move of renovation of the life of Iranian nation, Tehran: the institute for political studies and researches, 1393, p. 491.
[۶] Pouriya Soleymani, the Muslim nation of Iran, angry with the cooperation of the regime with the Baha’is, the Iranian contemporary history periodical, No. 50, your 13, summer, 1388 S.H., p.763.
[۷] The contemporary history of Iran periodical, No. 47, 48, p.56.
[۸] Bahram Afrasyabi, the comprehensive history of Bahaism, Tehran: Sokhan, 1371 S.H., pp. 572-573.
[۹]Marzieh Yazdi, the documents of the emigration of the Iranian Jewish people to Palestine, Tehran: the Iranian national documents organization, 1374, p.74.
[۱۰] Stephone Doriel, Iran distressed dreams, translated by Mehrnoush Mir Ehsan, the Iranian contemporary history periodical, year 9, No,35, 1384 S.H., p.39.
