Throughout the 1970s, as Iran realized tremendous profits from oil production, a gap developed and expanded between the wealthy and the poor. A recession, which began in 1975, increased tensions between the classes in Iran. Secular protests in the form of marches, organizations, and political poetry readings sprouted up and spread all across the country. Then, late in October of 1977, the Ayatollah Khomeini's 47-year-old son Mostafa died suddenly of a heart attack, and rumors did spread that he had been murdered by the SAVAK, and soon thousands of protesters assembled on the streets of Iran's major cities.
This increase in demonstrations came at a difficult time for the Shah, as he was ill with cancer, and seldom appeared in public. In a drastic
This increase in demonstrations came at a difficult time for the Shah, as he was ill with cancer, and seldom appeared in public. In a drastic