Saed News:Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi spent millions of dollars from oil revenues to gain political support in the U.S. elections; however, this gamble not only failed to secure the survival of his monarchy, but also became a historical example of the pattern.
According to the political desk of Saed News, in the final years of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s reign, an unprecedented surge in oil revenues led to his extravagant spending. Among these expenditures were financial contributions aimed at influencing the U.S. presidential elections. Believing that the survival of his monarchy depended on Washington’s support, the Shah spent around $120 million from Iran’s oil resources to back Gerald Ford’s 1976 presidential campaign. However, contrary to the Shah’s expectations, Jimmy Carter won the election, and even with strong ties to Zbigniew Brzezinski, was unable to prevent the fall of the Pahlavi regime.
Analysts argue that such strategies are common among oil-rich monarchies; lacking popular support, these governments often seek foreign backing in exchange for major concessions. In a similar vein, Donald Trump, understanding the psychology of Arab monarchs, adopted a comparable approach. By fueling "Iranophobia," he managed to secure lucrative arms deals with them—deals that were, in essence, little more than the sale of a "guarantee of survival."
While these transactions benefited the U.S. economy, a crucial question remains for both parties: Do these financial and political supports truly guarantee the survival of monarchies or secure America's prioritization in the global order?
