Review. Robert Steele, The Shah’s Imperial Celebrations of 1971. Nationalism, Culture and Politics in Late Pahlavi Iran, London, I.B. Tauris, 2021.

An illustration published in October 1971 on the front page of Iran Free Press, an overseas-based opposition publication, depicts Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi cheering elegant foreigners at a party . On the table chicken and pork, whereas in Islam pork is regarded as unclean and its consumption is forbidden. In the caption below the illustration, the Shah says: «Here’s to us, forget about those beggars outside, they’re just Iranians» .