Iran Before the 1979 Revolution: A Tapestry of Modernization, Tradition, and Turmoil

The role of foreign influence, particularly that of the United States, was also a significant factor in the political climate. The Shah's close ties with the West, especially during the Cold War, fostered resentment among those who felt that Iran's sovereignty was compromised. Many viewed the U.S. as complicit in the Shah's oppressive regime, which fueled anti-American sentiments that would persist long after the revolution.