How to Pronounce Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Meaning and Context

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, born on October 26, 1919, ascended to the Peacock Throne in 1941 following the abdication of his father, Reza Shah, and served as the last Shah of Iran until his monarchy was overthrown by the Iranian Revolution in 1979. His lengthy reign was defined by ambitious state-led modernization and westernization under the banner of the White Revolution, which included land reforms, women's suffrage, and vast industrialization, yet was simultaneously marked by the authoritarian rule of the SAVAK secret police, widening economic disparities, and growing public resentment against perceived cultural imperialism. The Shah's foreign policy was closely aligned with the United States and the West during the Cold War, positioning Iran as a key regional power, but this alliance further fueled nationalist and Islamist opposition led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. His exile in January 1979 and the subsequent establishment of the Islamic Republic marked a pivotal geopolitical shift, ending over 2,500 years of continuous Persian monarchy and ushering in a new theocratic era for Iran.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and most recognized transliteration from Persian is "Mohammad Reza Pahlavi." However, several alternative spellings and common errors exist due to variations in romanization. Frequently, one encounters "Mohammed Reza Pahlavi," substituting the more common Arabic-derived spelling of "Muhammad" for the first name. The second part of his name is sometimes misspelled as "Riza" or "Riza." A common typo involves the family name, rendered as "Pahlevi" or "Pehlavi." In historical texts, he is often referred to simply as "the Shah" or "Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi," and it is important to note the distinction from his father, Reza Shah Pahlavi, founder of the Pahlavi dynasty. Another frequent error is the incorrect date range of his rule; he was crowned Shah in 1941, not 1940 or 1942, and his official deposition was in 1979.

Example Sentences

Following the 1953 coup that reinstated his power, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi consolidated authority and embarked on a sweeping program of economic and social reforms.

Critics argue that the Shah's modernization efforts, while transformative, often disregarded Iran's deep-rooted religious and cultural traditions.

During the 1971 Persepolis celebrations, the Shah sought to glorify both ancient Persian history and the achievements of his own Pahlavi dynasty.

In exile, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi authored several books defending his vision for Iran before his death in Cairo in 1980.

Historians continue to debate his legacy, weighing the material progress of his reign against the political repression that ultimately led to revolution.

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