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Politics & World • Monarch

Shah of Iran

The Shah of Iran was the title used by the monarchs of Iran, especially the rulers of the Pahlavi dynasty, which ended in 1979.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Shah of Iran was the title used by the monarchs of Iran, especially the rulers of the Pahlavi dynasty, which ended in 1979. In modern usage, the term most often refers to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, who ruled from 1941 until his overthrow during the Iranian Revolution. The term is commonly encountered in histories of the revolution, Cold War politics, and the Iranian diaspora.

Title and meaning

Shah is a Persian title meaning “king,” and the fuller imperial form Shahanshah means “King of Kings.” The term was used for Iranian monarchs and is the standard English label for the kings of Iran.

Pahlavi dynasty

The Pahlavi dynasty began in 1925 and was the last dynasty to rule Iran before the monarchy was overthrown in 1979. Reza Shah Pahlavi founded the dynasty, and his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was its final ruler.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979. He fled Iran during the Iranian Revolution, and the monarchy officially ended after a constitutional referendum.

End of the monarchy

The 1979 Iranian Revolution removed the Pahlavi monarchy and replaced it with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi died in exile in Cairo in 1980.

Key facts

  • Shah is a Persian royal title meaning “king.”
  • The last Shah of Iran was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled from 1941 to 1979.
  • The Iranian monarchy ended with the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
  • The Pahlavi dynasty was the last royal dynasty to rule Iran before the monarchy was overthrown.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter the term in histories of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Cold War politics, and Iranian diaspora communities in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the last Shah of Iran?
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran; he ruled from 1941 to 1979.
What does “shah” mean?
Shah is a Persian word meaning “king.”
When did the Shah of Iran cease to exist?
The monarchy ended in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution.
Which dynasty did the Shah of Iran belong to?
The last Shahs of Iran belonged to the Pahlavi dynasty.
Did the Shah use another title?
Yes. The imperial title Shahanshah, meaning “King of Kings,” was also used.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mohammad-Reza-Shah-Pahlavi
    Supports: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979 and died in Cairo in 1980.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pahlavi-dynasty
    Supports: The Pahlavi dynasty was the last dynasty to rule Iran before the monarchy was overthrown in 1979.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah
    Supports: Shah is a Persian title meaning king and is associated with Iranian monarchs; Shahanshah means King of Kings.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi
    Supports: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pahlavi_dynasty
    Supports: The Pahlavi dynasty was the last royal dynasty to rule Iran before the monarchy ended in 1979.