TLDR;
This video recounts the tumultuous final years of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi's reign and his subsequent exile, alongside the rise of Ruhollah Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution in Iran. It details the Shah's search for asylum, the campaign of executions led by Sadegh Khalkhali, and the international plots to assassinate the Shah. The video also covers the Shah's medical struggles, his eventual death in Egypt, and the contrasting fates of Khalkhali, who was ultimately isolated and disgraced.
- The Shah's exile and search for asylum after the Iranian Revolution.
- Sadegh Khalkhali's campaign of executions and attempts to assassinate the Shah.
- International involvement and plots against the Shah, including those by Carlos the Jackal.
- The Shah's medical struggles, his book "Response to History," and his death in Egypt.
- Khalkhali's eventual downfall, isolation, and death.
The Shah's Departure and Khomeini's Return [0:10]
Following widespread protests and rising tensions, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi left Iran on January 16, 1978, on the advice of Bakhtiar. While the Shah's loyalists were saddened by his departure, Ruhollah Khomeini and his followers rejoiced, seeing it as a sign of their impending victory. The Shah traveled to various countries seeking refuge, but his former allies turned him away. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolution succeeded, with Khomeini taking power. The newly established government was pleased with the Shah's predicament but sought more than just his exile.
Khalkhali's Campaign of Executions [1:31]
Sadegh Khalkhali, appointed by Khomeini as the religious ruler and agent for trials and executions, began systematically targeting Pahlavi's relatives, supporters, military personnel, and diplomats. He executed over 200 people in less than two months, driven by hatred for the Pahlavi regime. Khalkhali sought to assassinate Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi himself, issuing a death sentence in late 1979 and tasking the Fedayeen-e-Islam forces with carrying out the assassination wherever he was found.
International Plots to Assassinate the Shah [2:53]
Khalkhali, with the help of the Palestine Liberation Front, enlisted Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known as Carlos the Jackal, to assassinate the Shah in Mexico. Earlier, on January 7, 1978, a meeting was held in Guadeloupe among the four major Western powers—the United States, Britain, East Germany, and France—where an agreement was reached to remove Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi from the Iranian government. All parties agreed that the Shah should leave Iran as soon as possible, with then-US President Carter advocating for a change in the Iranian regime.
Exile in Egypt and Morocco [4:29]
Nine days after the Guadeloupe Conference, the Shah and his family left Iran for Egypt, where they were greeted by President Anwar Sadat. The Shah received visits from Constantine, King of Greece, and his French physician, who was aware of the Shah's lymph node cancer, a secret kept even from Queen Farah Pahlavi. Later, the Shah was invited by King Hassan II of Morocco to reside in their country. On February 2, 1979, the Shah and his entourage moved to Morocco, residing in the luxurious Jinan-al-Kabir Palace.
Khomeini's Return and the Shah's Expulsion from Morocco [6:17]
Ten days after the Shah's arrival in Morocco, Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran after 14 years of exile, receiving a grand welcome. Two Boeing 747s were provided for his flight from France to Tehran, with agents from the CIA, MI6, and French security forces protecting him. Ten days after Khomeini's arrival, the Islamic Revolution was victorious. King Hassan II, seeing that the Shah's rule was over, asked him to leave Morocco to maintain political relations with Iran.
Life in the Bahamas and Khalkhali's Plans [8:33]
With his reign effectively over, the Shah found himself unwelcome in Europe and America. After being refused by several countries, he went to the Bahamas after approximately 70 days in Morocco. Meanwhile, Khomeini focused on eliminating any threats to his authority, appointing Sadeq Khalkhali as the Sharia judge of the Revolutionary Court to target those affiliated with the Pahlavi government. Khalkhali described his appointment as fulfilling his religious duty, supported by Khomeini's trust.
Executions and Fabrications [11:13]
Khalkhali executed numerous military officials, including General Nader Jahanbani, fabricating lies to justify his actions. Journalist Masoud Behnood recounted Khalkhali admitting to making up stories to incite hatred against Jahanbani. Khalkhali based his verdicts on personal animosity rather than logic, denying rights to the defendants. While Khalkhali continued his campaign of executions, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi left Morocco for the Bahamas on April 1, 1979.
Stay in the Bahamas and Visa Issues [13:13]
The Shah's presence in the Bahamas was facilitated by David Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger, who convinced the British government to grant him a tourist visa. The Shah stayed in a villa and worked on his book, "Response to History," while his health deteriorated. After two months, the British government refused to renew his visa, forcing him to leave the Bahamas on June 10, 1979, and move to Mexico.
Plans to Destroy Persepolis [15:13]
While the Shah was in the Bahamas, Khalkhali ordered the Fedayeen-e-Islam forces to find and kill him. Khalkhali also planned to destroy Persepolis, viewing it as a symbol of imperialism. However, Nasratollah Amini, the governor of Fars, opposed this plan, mobilizing popular forces to prevent Khalkhali's forces from entering Persepolis. Amini later resigned and left Iran, remembered as the savior of Persepolis.
Assassination Attempt in Mexico [17:22]
According to Amnesty International, Khalkhali had executed 437 people in Iran by March 1979. After the Bahamas refused to renew the royal family's visas, Rockefeller and Kissinger arranged for the Shah to reside in Mexico. The Shah arrived in Mexico on June 19, 1979, and continued writing his book and giving interviews. His cancer worsened, and he underwent chemotherapy. Khalkhali issued the Shah's death sentence in absentia and sent forces to assassinate him, even recruiting Carlos the Jackal for the task.
Carlos the Jackal and the Helicopter Attack [21:46]
Khalkhali enlisted Carlos the Jackal, a notorious international terrorist, to assassinate the Shah. On July 25, 1979, Khalkhali announced Carlos's involvement, which made headlines worldwide. Special security measures were taken to protect the Shah and his family in Mexico. On July 29, 1979, the villa where the royal family was staying was attacked by helicopters, but the security forces repelled the attack. Khalkhali took responsibility for the attack and vowed to complete the assassination.
Khalkhali's Methods and Khomeini's Support [27:17]
Carlos the Jackal was eventually arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in France. Khalkhali's actions were carried out under the orders of Ruhollah Khomeini, who supported his methods. Khalkhali recounted how Khomeini encouraged him to be firm and decisive in his judgments. Khalkhali also detailed his conflicts with Ebrahim Yazdi, the Prime Minister of the first government, who he felt was interfering with his duties.
Shah's Worsening Health and Search for Treatment [29:39]
After surviving the assassination attempt in Mexico, the Shah's health continued to worsen. Rockefeller and Kissinger sought to arrange for him to receive treatment in American hospitals. Kissinger believed that America owed the Shah a debt and advocated for providing him with a place to live. Despite opposition from the US State Department, Jimmy Carter eventually agreed to allow the Shah to come to America for treatment.
Treatment in the United States and Embassy Takeover [30:56]
The Shah traveled to New York on October 20, 1979, and underwent treatment at Cornell Hospital. Kissinger continued to advocate for the Shah's permanent residency in the United States. However, the Islamic Republic feared the Shah's presence in America, leading to increased tensions and the takeover of the American embassy in Tehran on November 13, 1979. Iranian students in the United States protested the Shah's presence and demanded his expulsion.
Departure from the US and Stay in Panama [32:54]
Carter informed the Shah that he could not extend his visa, and Kissinger ended his efforts to have the Shah stay in America. The Shah then went to Wilfil Hall Medical Center in Texas for further treatment. However, Mexico also feared its relations with Iran would be affected and refused to host him again. Carter arranged for the Shah to reside in Panama with the help of Kissinger. On December 14, 1979, the royal family arrived in Panama and settled on Contadora Island.
Extradition Demands and Final Move to Egypt [34:24]
While the Shah was in Panama, Khalkhali sought to have him extradited to Tehran. The Islamic Republic pressured the Panamanian government, causing them to negotiate with the United States. Carter hesitated to hand over the Shah, hoping to free American hostages in Iran. Ultimately, the Panamanian government could not host the Shah for long due to pressure from Iran. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat invited the Shah to take up permanent residence in Cairo.
Khalkhali's Downfall and Execution of Farkhro Parsa [35:45]
After a three-month stay in Panama, the Shah left for Cairo on April 20, 1970. Khalkhali's plans to kill the Shah had failed, and his career as a judge of the Revolutionary Sharia Court was coming to an end. One of his last trials was the execution of Farkhro Parsa, the first female minister in Iranian history. Parsa, who had implemented educational reforms, was labeled a corruptor and executed on May 8, 1970. Khalkhali showed no mercy to her body, even destroying her tombstone.
Plots Against Khalkhali and Destruction of Reza Shah's Tomb [38:51]
Abolfazl Tavakoli Bina and his friends devised a plan to expose Khalkhali's recklessness in issuing death sentences. They tricked Khalkhali into signing his own death sentence, but Mohammad Beheshti refused to take action. However, Beheshti eventually removed Khalkhali from his position as the Revolutionary Sharia Court. Before his removal, Khalkhali destroyed the tomb of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the founder of the Pahlavi government, despite opposition from the interim government.
Assassinations and Dismissal [42:47]
Khalkhali issued death sentences in absentia for several expatriates, including Shahriar Shafiq and Manouchehr Vazifakhah, who were later assassinated. In May 2010, Khalkhali was appointed to head the Anti-Narcotics Committee, where he continued to execute people he considered counter-revolutionary. In July 1980, he oversaw the execution of 14 prisoners in Shiraz, including a Jewish woman named Nusrat Goel, who was mistakenly arrested. Due to widespread protests, Ruhollah Khomeini dismissed Khalkhali from his position.
Khalkhali's Isolation and Death [47:29]
Khalkhali lived the last 10 years of his life in complete isolation, struggling with various illnesses. He passed away in his home on December 25, 2003, and was buried in the shrine of Fatima Masoumeh in Qom. In contrast, the Shah was given a special welcome by Anwar Sadat in Egypt. The Shah underwent surgery at Maadi Hospital but passed away on August 20, 1980, in the Abedin Palace in Cairo.
The Shah's Funeral and Legacy [49:28]
Anwar Sadat organized a grand funeral for the Shah, attended by former US President Nixon. Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was buried in the Rifa'i Mosque, where his father, Reza Shah, was also buried. In his will, the Shah left his judgment to history and requested that his body be transferred to Iranian soil after Iran's liberation and buried alongside the soldiers killed by the Islamic Republic and Khalkhali.