Abbas Gharabaghi
| Abbas Gharabaghi | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Interior | |
| President | Mohammad Reza Pahlavi |
| Preceded by | Asadollah NasreEsfahani |
| Succeeded by | Sadeq Amir-Azizi |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abbas Gharabaghi 1918 (age 97–98) Tabriz, Iran |
| Died |
2000 Paris, France |
| Nationality | Iran |
| Alma mater | Military University of Imam Ali, Tehran |
| Occupation | Military Officer |
| Profession | Military |
| Religion | Islam |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Iran |
| Service/branch | Imperial Iranian Army |
| Years of service | 1936–1979 |
| Rank |
 General officer |
| Unit | Army |
| Commands | Commander in Chiefs of the Iranian Armed Forces |
Abbas Gharabaghi (born 1918 in Tabriz - died 2000 in Paris) was the last chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces as well as deputy commander-in-chief of the Iranian Imperial Army during the rule of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Career
Gharabaghi served as the gendarmerie commander until 1979.[1] He was appointed chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces on 7 January 1979. His role was to support the Shah until the Shah left Iran, and then to support the civilian government the Shah left behind led by Prime Minister Bakhtiar. However, after much strife on the streets of Tehran and elsewhere, on 11 February 1979 Gharabaghi, along with 22 other senior military leaders, withdrew support of Bakhtiar, thus tacitly supporting the revolutionary Islamic republic.[2][3]
Works
Gharabaghi published his account of the revolution in his books Haghayegh Darbareye Bohran-e Iran ("Facts About the Iran Crisis", 1983), and Che Shod Ke Chonan Shod? ("Why did it happen?", 1999).[4] It is said that his decision to declare the army's "neutrality" was the main reason for the final triumph of the Iranian Islamic Revolution which ended the monarchy.
In his first book, Gharabaghi expresses his strong support and loyalty to the Shah and paints a detailed picture of the chaos within the military ranks caused by the last government under the Shah which clearly holds Prime Minister Bakhtiar responsible for the downfall of the monarchy.[5] He justifies his decision to declare the army's "neutrality" as the only reasonable solution given the circumstances and in order to prevent further bloodshed and calls Bakhtiar a traitor.
Death
Gharabaghi died in Paris in 2000.[6]
References
- ↑ Roberts, Mark J. (January 1996). "Khomenei's incorporation of the Iranian military" (McNair Paper 48). National Defense University. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ↑ Bakhtiar Quits After Losing Army Backing The Guardian, 12 February 1979
- ↑ Memory Lane: Looking Back At The Road To Revolution The Iranian, 11 February 2001
- ↑ Why Did It Happen? Amazon
- ↑ Gharabaghi, Abbas (1983). Haghayegh Dar Bareye Bohran-e Iran. Sāzmān-i Chāp va Intishārāt-i Suhayl.
- ↑ The General's Widow The Iranian, 21 February 2001
Chief-of-Staffs (1923-1998) and Commander-in-Chiefs (Since 1998) of the Iranian Army | |
|---|---|
| Pahlavi Dynasty (1923-1979) | 
|
| Islamic Republic (1979-present) | 
|