Why did many Iranians criticize the shah’s close relationship with the United States?

Many Iranians criticized the shah’s close relationship with the United States because it was viewed as a form of foreign interference that undermined Iran's sovereignty and cultural identity. This resentment was deeply rooted in the 1953 coup, a covert operation orchestrated by the United States and the United Kingdom to remove the nationalist leader Mohammad Mosaddegh and restore the shah to power.1234

For many, this event transformed the shah into a symbol of subservience to foreign powers. Intellectuals and religious leaders, including Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, argued that the country needed to reject Western influence and return to its indigenous culture. This anti-imperialist sentiment was further fueled by:5

• Forced Westernization: The shah’s modernization programs, known as the White Revolution, were seen by many as antithetical to Islamic values and traditional institutions.36
• Diplomatic Ties: The shah’s close relationship with Israel, which was in conflict with Arab states, alienated many Iranians.5
• Autocratic Rule: The shah’s reliance on U.S. support allowed him to maintain an autocratic regime that suppressed political dissent through censorship and the SAVAK secret police.537