A Look at Changes in Iran [since the last visit of a British royal, in 1971]

Guardian ^ | 2/9/04 | Guardian

[freedom44]

THEN: Prince Philip, the father of Prince Charles, and Princess Anne attended $500 million celebrations marking 2,500 years of the monarchy in Iran, amid the ruins of the ancient capital, Persepolis. The guests, a who's who of world leaders, wined and dined on peacocks, truffles, 2,000 pounds of caviar, and vintage champagne. More than 180 chefs and helpers were flown in from Maxim of Paris. Philip was given two thoroughbred stallions.

NOW: Prince Charles meets in Tehran with President Mohammad Khatami for an hourlong discussion. Later, he visits the ruins of a devastating earthquake in the city of Bam and is offered dates by survivors.

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THEN: Iran was at the height of its military and economic power. Though a top oil producer, many lived in poverty.

NOW: During its 1980-88 war with Iraq, Iran launched an arms development program to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane. Last year Iran introduced the Shahab-3 missile, with a range of about 800 miles.

Although Iran is the second-biggest oil producer after Saudi Arabia in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, revenues aren't what they were in 1971. Many Iranians have to hold two or three jobs to make ends meet.

Iran's population has more than doubled, to 66.5 million.

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THEN: Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was pro-Western and close to the United States. Three years earlier, he had crowned himself and taken the title of ``King of Kings, Light of the Aryans.''

NOW: The shah was toppled by the 1979 Islamic revolution led by anti-American clerics. The hard-liners promised democracy but rule with an iron hand. Reformers, who hold the presidency and parliament, have their hands tied by a system that requires final approval from the hard-line system. Government corruption is rampant.

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THEN: Miniskirts were the rage among women and sexy cinema posters were ubiquitous in Tehran, although many considered them offensive. Alcohol was available.

NOW: Women must cover themselves from head to foot in public to abide by an Islamic dress code. No racy advertisements. Islamic laws prohibit alcohol consumption, and none is available for purchase. Homemade booze, or smuggled alcohol, is secretly delivered to homes by bootleggers.

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THEN: In the streets of Tehran, the Peykan, an Iranian-assembled car modeled after the British Hillman Hunter, was king of the roads.

NOW: The streets of Tehran are still clogged with Peykans, but most are dented and barely running.

[freedom44]

His Imperial Majesty made the first speech of the celebrations:

“O Cyrus, great King, King of Kings, Emperor of the Achaemenians, monarch of the land of Iran. I, the Shahanshah of Iran, offer thee salutations from myself and from our nation.