Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s Foreign Policy during the Cold War and Iran’s Position in the Bipolar Order

چکیده

With the onset of the Cold War, Iran became a focal point of competition between the Eastern and Western blocs. This study examines Mohammad Reza Shah’s foreign policies from 1946 to 1979 and their impact on Iran’s position in the bipolar order. Findings indicate that the Shah initially pursued a policy of negative balance, later shifting to a strategic alliance with the United States to secure Iran’s security and economic development. However, growing dependence on the West widened the gap between the government and society and weakened political legitimacy. Analysis of diplomatic documents and treaties such as the CENTO pact reveals that this pro-Western orientation ultimately contributed to public discontent and the 1979 Iranian Revolution.