Seyyed Mostafa Taqavi

In a break with tradition, the British did not enter into any talk with the Shah and the dignitaries about the candidates of the head of cabinet. Despite the fact that Norman in his meeting with Ahmad Shah had obtained his acquiescence for the coming of a powerful government, they knew that it is possible for the Shah to refuse the men they had considered for the office. So they decided to deny him any opportunity of political bargain so that he would have no other choice except acceptance. The tactics played by the British statesmen assign the characteristics of a coup to that event.

Iran’s general situation at the threshold of the coup was not suitable and there were the necessary grounds for accepting an upheaval. Due to uncontrolled radicalism, mismanagement, and lack of pragmatic plans, from the constitutional movement up to 1921 coup, 51 cabinets were changed. The meddling of the Russians and the British in Iranian affairs was increased, and the outbreak of the First World War led to their military occupation of Iran and added to the political unrest and economic disorder. In other words, the Iranians witnessed the outcome of the freedom the secular constitutionalists wished for, and now asked for the rule of law, security, and development of Iran. However, they demanded it from their genuine political men not from the foreign powers. In such a situation the political men responded to the situation in different ways. There were some statesmen who looked for a third force and so they turned towards Germany. The movements of Guilan and Tabriz led by Mirza Kuchak Khan and Sheikh Mohammad Khiabani respectively were a different sesponse to the conditions of the country. There were some figures including Ayatollah Modarres who thought of gradual reforms. However, the British prevented the implementation of any national development plan so that the coup would be an appropriate solution for troubles the country was facing. In fact, the British knew that some of the political figures with constitutional orientations would be very helpful in their plans.