Front: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1919-1980), Shah of Iran 1941-1979

Mohammad Reza was son of Reza Pahlavi (1877-1944), Shah of Iran 1925-1941. He was educated in a Swiss boarding school and at the Military College in Tehran.

Iran under his father Reza Pahlavi had good relations with Nazi Germany. Fearing the country may fall into the Axis camp, Great Britain and Soviet Union staged a preemptive invasion of Iran in 1941. The Allies forced the Shah to abdicate, and placed his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the throne.

Mohammad Reza's autocratic pro-western rule caused much discontent and opposition from the fundamentalist Islamic groups. The Shah was persuaded by his Prime minister to leave Iran in 1979. An Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini was formed shortly after.

Back: Palace of Darius-Perspolis ruins in Shiraz

Front: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1919-1980), Shah of Iran 1941-1979

Back: Tomb of Ibn Sina in Hamadan

Front: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1919-1980), Shah of Iran 1941-1979

Back: Bank Melli in Tehran

Front: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1919-1980), Shah of Iran 1941-1979

Back: Oil refinery in Abadan

Front: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1919-1980), Shah of Iran 1941-1979

Back: Amir Kabir Dam near Karaj