Britain's role in Reza Khan's accession to the throne of Persia 1921–1925 AD.

Abstract

This research studies Britain's activity in Persia and its role in Reza Khan Pahlavi's accession to the throne of Persia. It analyzes the belief that Britain was the one who created Reza Khan Pahlavi and placed him on the throne. Through the course of British and Persian history, the research traces British intervention in the coup that first brought Reza Khan Pahlavi as prime minister, and explores the policy of Sir Percy Lorraine, the British minister in Tehran for the period from 1921-1926 AD. The research also shows that Britain did less than what others thought, but it was an actor among the influences that changed the course of Persian politics, as it helped the coup and was the key to its success by exploiting the deteriorating economic and political conditions in Persia, and showed that the event was a natural result of those conditions. In addition, Sir Percy Lorraine’s policy based on good relations between him and all parties and non-interference was part of the process that brought him to hegemony over Persia. The research is titled: “Britain’s role in Reza Khan’s accession to the throne of Persia 1921-1925 AD.” The research studies Britain’s role in Reza Khan Pahlavi assuming that position despite the presence of the ruling Qajar dynasty since 1779 AD. The research consisted of four axes, the first of which included the appointment of one of the most prominent employees of the British Foreign Office as his country’s minister in Tehran, namely Sir Percy Lorraine, after the cancellation of the British-Persian Treaty of 1919 AD by Parliament Persian, Therefore, Britain found that it was in its interest to change the situation in Persia through new measures, represented by changing Prime Minister Mirza Hassan Khan and installing a pro-British figure who was at the same time acceptable to the people. This was the title of the second axis of the research, which included: “The role of Sir Percy Lorraine in appointing Reza Khan Pahlavi as Prime Minister after helping him carry out the coup of February 1921 AD, and then appointing him as Prime Minister”, As for the third axis, it included: “Britain’s assistance to Reza Khan Pahlavi in eliminating the most prominent opponent of his policy, namely Sheikh Khazal,” who had long been an ally of Britain, which had previously nominated him to assume the throne of Iraq. However, in order to consolidate its influence in the country, it preferred to replace a small ally with a larger ally, and this is the context of British policy, After getting rid of Sheikh Khazal’s influence, Britain helped, as we will see, in Reza Khan Pahlavi assuming the throne of Persia on April 25. 1926 AD, and given the importance of the event and the controversy that accompanied it, I mentioned in the fourth section of the research some of the opinions of contemporary politicians and historians of the event regarding Reza Khan Pahlavi’s accession to the throne of Persia.