But all this world is like a tale we hear
Men’s evil, and their glory, disappear.
- From the Shahnameh
Things were changing dramatically in Iran. By the middle of 1937, the kingdom’s political makeup was divided into three factions among the populace: those who still supported the Shah’s regime (53%); fascists (26%); and communists (20%). Both fascists and communists were rising in power, overtaking the royalists – it would only be a matter of time before conflict became immanent.
Although the Shah had punished and oppressed Marxism, it was the rise of fascism which caused greater pressure to be placed upon him. Mohammad Reza Mansour, his (secretly) communist adviser, warned him that both the Soviet Union and United Kingdom would not tolerate a growing influence in fascist thought, and would most likely invade if they perceived one being propped up. How true this was is a matter of debate, though with the growing boldness of Adolf Hitler’s Germany and the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, it may have been possible that a fascist Iran was causing some concern in London and Moscow. Wanting to keep both his foreign policy and his internal politics sedated, the Shah gave Mansour the freedom he sought, and a great persecution of fascists began.
Mansour proved to be ruthless in his persecution. He set up a watch list and secret organization similar to those which existed under Tsarist Russia, and recorded the names of the most prominent fascists. Although Arash and many other top leaders could not be openly persecuted, they were put under surveillance. Lesser members, however, were targeted and arrested. Mansour was surprised to find that fascist loyalties were especially growing in the Shah’s army, among the mid-to-higher ranking officers. Dozens were arrested. Many more were executed. Anger in the fascist ranks rose, especially by the other officers. The persecution began to make more of the military loyal to the fascists.
On 6 June, 1937, a special parade was held in Tehran. Mohammad Reza Mansour was in attendance. As the formation passed by, one officer – an Iranian colonel by the name of Hasan Arfa – took notice of him. Arfa had personally known many of the officers killed by Mansour’s agents. Anger ranged in him, and continued to grow as Arfa marched closer. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore: Arfa suddenly broke ranks, walked right up to the podium, aimed his pistol, and fired. A single bullet buried itself into Mohammad’s skull. The Interior Minister fell back, dead before he hit the ground. The entire parade came to a dead halt, the soldiers looking on. Nearby police jumped on Arfa and subdued him.
The assassination of Mohammad Reza Mansour sent shock waves throughout the nation. Most importantly, it forced the government to reveal the influence of communism under the Shah’s regime. Fascist loyalists in the military responded with similar attacks against known communists, and fascist members among the populace attacked neighbors suspected of harboring Marxist views. By July, Iran’s political scene had changed dramatically: now 46% of the populace aligned with the fascsts, while 38% supported the Shah, and only 14% the communists. The Soviet grip over Iran had been weakened greatly.
Reza was enraged with the situation based on a more personal level. The fascists were growing more bold, and their loyalty in the military was increasing. His own power over the people, as well as the military from which he himself had formed ranks, was loosening He gave the order that Arfa be publicly executed as a warning to those who might dare oppose him. Close associates advised against this, but the Shah insisted that the order be carried out as soon as possible.
Word reached the fascist leadership of the impending execution. Arfa had become a hero to the fascist cause, and a symbol of the struggle against communism. With the Shah pointing his guns at the colonel, the fascist focus now shifted from Soviet influence to Reza’s tyranny. Arash held a private meeting of the top party leadership, including many generals, and set forward a motion on how to proceed. There were some who suggested Arfa be rescued and the Shah overthrown. Others pointed out that the fascists did not yet have the full popular support of the people, and that resorting to violence now would throw Iran into a chaotic civil war; instead of rescuing Arfa, it was suggested that he be permitted to be executed, and hence become a martyr to rally more people to their cause. Arash himself was opposed to this idea, and believed that the time was right. A coup was planned.
On 10 August, 1937, soldiers of the 5th Infantry Brigade stormed the prison where Arfa was being held. The guards out front were killed, while the others inside surrendered easily. Arfa was liberated, and promptly told that Arash had appointed him the new commander of the Iranian military. Shortly thereafter, soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Brigade stormed other government buildings in Tehran, arresting several politicians, including known communist members.
On 11 August, 1937, a radio announcement was made, declaring the formation of the New Persian Empire. Reza Shah Pahlavi was ordered to be arrested and executed for crimes against the nation. Those loyalists who had been captured in Tehran had already been executed by being hung from lampposts, each corpse bearing a sign which read “Tyrant.”
Unfortunately for the fascists, the coup had not gone off perfectly. Reza, it turned out, had been outside Tehran when the coup occurred, and been rushed away when the shooting at the prison and the attacks on government buildings began. He fled to Bandar e’Abbas, where he reestablished his government and called on all supporters to fight against the coup plotters. Many in southern and northwest Iran rallied behind the Shah. A majority of the military, including Reza’s own Cossacks, refused to break from their monarch. Northeast Iran, where many of the fascist supporters resided, supported Arash and the fascists.
Reza Shah Pahlavi inspecting loyalist troops in Bandar e'Abbas
The Iranian Civil War had begun.
