Word: shahs
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...anti-American demonstration had been meticulously orchestrated. On the third anniversary of the downfall of Shah Mohammed Reza Palahvi, about 30,000 Iranians converged on Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square shouting imprecations against the U.S. At the same time, units of Islamic Guards and militia marched upon outsized American flags that had been laid along their route. Then, as the televised parade approached the dignitaries who had assembled in the square, a Soviet flag was mysteriously thrown down in front of the marchers. Before the troops could be halted and a startled official could retrieve it, the red banner...
...well-organized underground movement founded in 1965, the Mujahedin was active in the overthrow of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. But it later split with the clergy-dominated regime of Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini. Over the past eight months it has launched a bloody campaign of insurrection that culminated in the assassination of President Mohammed Ali Raja'i and many other top government figures. In the wake of severe government reprisals, Mujahedin activities have tapered off. The Mujahedin say they have merely switched tactics from assassinating political leaders to attacking government security forces. Government sources claim that, in fact, the rebels...
Meanwhile, the Shah wanted to come to the U.S., but embassy officials in Tehran were wary. "For us now to give refuge to the Shah would almost certainly trigger massive demonstrations against our embassy," Laingen cabled to Washington in July. "With luck, they may stop at that, without a physical assault. But there could be no assurance of that...
...When the Shah was finally admitted to the U.S. for medical treatment, Laingen initially reported only a "minimal" response in Iran, but he soon knew better...
...negative reaction has been gradually building," he cabled on Oct. 28. Three days later, the last message from Laingen recounted a conversation with a leading Iranian diplomat. Reported Laingen: "He made an emotional and unofficial plea to explain why Shah must leave U.S outside pressures on the Foreign Ministry were too strong . . . otherwise there will be a crisis." Four days later, the crisis began...