Anniversary of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's Survival of Tehran University Assassination Attempt
Anniversary of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's Survival of Tehran University Assassination Attempt, Bahman 15.
On this day in 1949, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, survived an assassination attempt at the University of Tehran.
The assailant, Nasser Fakhr-Arai, fired several shots at the Shah as he was leaving a book exhibition, but the bullets did not cause serious injury and the Shah survived.
One of the Shah's companions was wounded during the incident, and the attacker was immediately killed by security forces.
The event had a significant impact on Iran's political climate, leading to increased security measures and a crackdown on political activists, particularly members of the Tudeh Party.
The attempted assassination marked a turning point in modern Iranian history, resulting in greater government control over political activities and heightened surveillance.
The anniversary of this event was included in the Shahanshahi calendar as a reminder of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's survival.
During the Pahlavi era, the day was observed through official media coverage and occasional memorial ceremonies in government institutions.
The inclusion of this observance in the Shahanshahi calendar was decided by official authorities of the time in order to emphasize its significance in the nation's political history.