8. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi: Iran’s Last Monarch
For decades, the U.S. stood firmly behind Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, drawn by his pro-Western orientation and Iran’s strategic oil reserves. American involvement included supporting the CIA-backed 1953 coup that solidified the Shah’s power. While the alliance brought short-term stability, the Shah’s repressive rule sowed deep resentment among Iranians. As noted by Britannica, this partnership laid the groundwork for the 1979 revolution and decades of distrust between the U.S. and Iran.
