Nostalgia for the rule of the Shahs, particularly in contemporary Iran and among Persians living abroad, can be attributed to a variety of reasons, ranging from political to social and cultural factors. Here are some of the key reasons why some people might look back fondly on that era:

1. Economic Growth and Modernization

Under the Shahs, especially during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran experienced significant modernization and economic growth. The country invested heavily in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and industrialization. Many people, particularly those who lived through the 1960s and 1970s, remember Iran as an emerging power in the region with a growing middle class and rising living standards. This era also saw major advancements in technology and urban development.

2. Stability and Security

The Pahlavi regime, despite its authoritarian nature, provided a sense of political stability and order in Iran, especially when compared to the turbulence that followed the 1979 revolution. Many individuals remember the period as one where law and order prevailed, and the threat of political violence or chaos was minimal. The security services (like SAVAK) kept dissent in check, and the country was largely free from the kind of instability that has plagued Iran in the years following the revolution.

3. Cultural Freedom and Westernization

Under the Shahs, Iran was far more open to Western influences than after the 1979 revolution. Many Iranians, especially in urban areas, enjoyed greater cultural freedom. Western music, cinema, fashion, and lifestyles were prevalent, and people had more freedom to express themselves in a variety of ways. Women, for example, had more rights during the Shah’s reign, including access to education, the right to vote, and the ability to work in various professions. This liberal atmosphere can be appealing to those who feel the current political system is restrictive.

4. Social and Political Repression

While the Shah’s regime was known for its political repression, many outside Iran—and some within the country—are nostalgic for the relative “safety” of life under a centralized, strong government. The revolutionary years and the Islamic Republic’s subsequent restrictions on free speech, political opposition, and personal freedoms have led some to see the Shah’s rule as a time of less overt repression, even if the political atmosphere was still tightly controlled.

5. Exile and Diaspora Sentiment

For many Iranians living in exile, particularly those who left after the revolution, there is often a longing for a time before the upheaval and uncertainty. Exile, whether it is due to political reasons or a general feeling of alienation, can lead to nostalgia for the past. The memories of a more cosmopolitan, modern Iran, where many enjoyed personal freedoms, material comforts, and a sense of national pride, are powerful motivators for this longing.

6. Loss of National Identity and Pride

The 1979 Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic resulted in a dramatic shift in Iranian identity. The secular, modernist image associated with the Shahs was replaced by a more conservative, religiously dominated identity. For some Iranians, particularly those who do not identify with the religious politics of the Islamic Republic, the era of the Shahs represents a time when Iran had a more progressive and inclusive sense of identity. They may feel that Iran’s international stature and cultural identity diminished after the revolution.

7. Iran’s Role on the World Stage

Under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran was an important player in the Middle East, often aligned with Western powers, particularly the United States. Iran was seen as a regional superpower, with significant influence over geopolitical affairs. Many people who experienced this period recall Iran as a rising global power, which can be seen as preferable to the perceived isolation that Iran faces in the international community today.

8. Memories of Personal Well-Being

For some, the memories of a higher standard of living, access to a variety of goods, and the promise of a brighter future under the Shah’s regime foster a sense of nostalgia. The Iranian economy was growing rapidly in the 1970s, and many Iranians enjoyed relative prosperity, especially in comparison to the economic difficulties faced under the Islamic Republic.

9. Critique of the Islamic Republic

For those who are dissatisfied with the Islamic Republic’s governance—whether because of political repression, economic hardship, or social conservatism—the Shah’s era represents an alternative that appears less restrictive. Some people see the Islamic Republic as having failed to live up to its promises, and they might compare it to the more secular, modern, and economically prosperous times under the Shahs.

10. Romanticization of the Past

There is also a tendency in any society to romanticize past eras, especially when the present feels uncertain or unfulfilling. The Shah’s era can be seen through a nostalgic lens that emphasizes its positive aspects—youth, progress, and possibility—while downplaying the more negative elements, such as authoritarian rule or repression.

While there are many Iranians who strongly oppose the idea of a return to the Shah’s rule and prefer the Islamic Republic, this nostalgia remains prevalent in some circles. It’s important to note that these feelings do not necessarily represent a broad consensus, as many people within Iran, particularly those who support the revolution and the Islamic Republic, view the Shah’s rule as a time of oppression, inequality, and Western imperialism.