a. Disapproved of his Westernization policies.
b. Disapproved of his move to fundamentalism.
c. Disagreed with his interest in searching for oil.
d. Disagreed with his push to block women’s right shah of Iran because they
Answer. Islamic clerics primarily criticized the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, because they disapproved of his Westernization policies (Option A).
During his rule, especially through the White Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, the Shah implemented sweeping modernization reforms, including land redistribution, women’s voting rights, secular education, and increased Western cultural influence. These changes directly challenged the traditional role of Islamic clerics in Iranian society. Many viewed his policies as an attack on religious values and an attempt to reduce clerical influence in governance.
Additionally, the Shah’s close alliance with Western nations, particularly the United States, fueled further resentment. His regime’s crackdown on political dissent, including the imprisonment and exile of religious leaders like Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, deepened opposition. These tensions ultimately culminated in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established a theocratic government.
This historical conflict highlights the broader struggle between modernization and religious authority in Iran, shaping its political landscape for decades.
