U.S. State Department | July 27, 1980
| The Mossadegh Project | March 14, 2023 |
The U.S. State Department issued this brief statement the day the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, died of cancer in Egypt at age 60. Driven from his country by the Iranian revolution, the Shah had been harbored by the friendly government of Anwar Sadat, who gave him a state funeral.
The Department of State Bulletin
Vol. 80, No. 2042
September 1980
Deposed Shah Dies in Cairo
DEPARTMENT STATEMENT, JULY 27, 19801
We have been informed that the former Shah has died in Cairo.
The President and Mrs. Carter are sending their personal condolences to the Shah’s family. [Jimmy Carter, Rosalyn Carter] At this time of great personal grief for the members of the Shah’s family, they deserve sympathy and an atmosphere of tranquility. Ambassador Atherton has been asked to deliver the Carter’s condolences. [Alfred Atherton, Ambassador to Egypt]
The Shah was the leader of Iran for an exceptionally long period of time—38 years. History will record that he led his country at a time when profound changes were taking place. His death marks the end of an era in Iran, which all hope will be followed by peace and stability.
1 Read to news correspondents by acting Department spokesman David Passage •
Related links:
Shah’s Death Solves Little | Herald and Review, July 29, 1980
The Shah’s Increasing Assurance | Secret CIA Memo, May 7, 1968
Exiled Shah of Iran’s Letter to Chase Manhattan Bank’s CEO David Rockefeller (1979)
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”
