IRANIAN POLITICAL STABILITY THREATENED BY SHAH'S DETERMINATION TO RULE SUPREME

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000800100001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 6, 1957
• Content Type: BRIEF

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Approved For
NSC BRIEFING
6 August 1957
IRA~tIAN' PC9LITICAI. STABILITY THREATENED BY
SHAH' S I3ETERMINAT I4N . TC3 RULE SUFI~bIE
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I, The Shah, apparently convinced. that he has consolidated in his own
hands all political power in Iran, is determined: to rule supreme.
A. Despite his close personal attention to the affairs of state,
however, the Shah a,ppea,rs to be completely unaware of the
growing dissatisfaction and political frustrations which could.
threaten the very existence of his regime.
inefficient a.nd corrupt officials--will strengthen sentiment
for the abolition of the monarchy.
1, Bitter criticism of the Sha,h's rule has come from members
of the Iranian ruling class, including-the Sha.h's half-
brother Prince Abdor Reza, members of the cabinet, Pda,jlis
deputies, high-ranking army and police officers, religious
leaders, and politically powerful landowners.
The continued lack of progress toward. reform--largely cause
the Shah's reluctance to let Prime Minister Egba.l fire
C, chile this discontent and criticism has been growing among
Iranians, especially among those of the Middle ~la.ss, there is
apparently no group or combination of groups strong enough to
challenge the Shah's paver a,nd force him to "reign not rule,"
1. There is no indication that a. viable opposition movement
will develop in theimmediate future.
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2. The Shah is able to play one potential leader against
the others, -They do not trust each other enough to form
an effective coalition.
Egbal has repeatedly threatened. to resign in recent months if the
Shah continues to interfere in governmental activities, but he ha.s
made no such threats since the uha,h's return from Europe in mid.-July
even. though the Shah has become more embroiled: than ever in the
daily a,ffa,irs of government,
25X1 A. despite his failure to resign, Egbal is
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probably finished. as prime minister.
I. He ha.s reportedly lost the confidence of the Shah and. a.ll
of his own friends.
2. The Shah gives no indieatian that he intends to throw his
support behind. the Egba,l government nor that he will tolerate
it beyond the time necessary to make other arrangements.
a.. The Shah will proba.biy keep Egba,l in office, however,
until he the Shah) is able to groom another candidate
whom he believes he .can dominate completely.
3. Should the Iranian people continue to feel a lack of
confidence in the government, the Crown, a.s a national
symbol and institution, could. be seriously damaged.
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