大象传媒

The year 1978 was a turning point for modern Iran. A few turbulent months of street demonstrations and brutal repression meant that a line of monarchy going back over 2500 years was on a fast track to oblivion. The people were openly defying the man who considered himself the heir of Cyrus the Great, Mohammad Reza Shah. On September 8th 1978, after tanks had tried unsuccessfully to disperse a crowd of demonstrators, soldiers were ordered to shoot. According to the opposition more than 600 people were killed in Zhaleh Square alone. It was the beginning of the end for that part of Iranian society that enjoyed all the favours and trappings of an ancient royal court, many of whom, after the quadrupling of the price of oil, had become immensely rich. For some it would mean exile for the rest of their lives.

In the Reunion, we鈥檝e brought together a group of Iranians who were forced out of their country, as followers of an elderly Muslim cleric exiled to Paris destroyed the Peacock Throne and returned to his country in January of 1978.

Hossein Amirsadeghi was close to the Shah and his unofficial spokesman in Tehran, Parviz Radji was the Shah鈥檚 Ambassador in London, Dr. Alireza Nourizadeh was political editor of Iran鈥檚 biggest selling newspaper and a popular radio presenter, Abdol-Madjid Madjidi was head of Planning and Budget under the former prime minister and Mrs Mahnaz Afkhami had held a Cabinet post with special responsibilities for women鈥檚 issues. Also taking part are the 大象传媒鈥檚 John Simpson who followed events in Iran from the start, and watched as a regime crumbled, historian Ali Ansari and the widow of Rhami.

Producer: David Prest
Series Producer: David Prest
The Reunion is a Whistledown Production for 大象传媒 Radio 4