Barriers to Land Reform Based in Iran: The Case of the Murder of Government Official Malek Aabedi

To discuss how the assassination of the government official in charge of implementing the land reform in the region led to a national crisis and had consequences for the government. Data was obtained from archival records held at the National Archives of Iran and private documents owned by the son of the assassinated official. Library resources were consulted to collect background information. Implementation of land reform in the early 1960s in Iran was a result of political stability and socio-economic development. It aimed at earning legitimacy for the Shah and preventing the influence of communism. The murder of Malek Aabedi, the official in charge of implementing the plan in the region of Firooz Aabaad in Fars province, was regarded by the government as resistance against the reform plan by grand landlords and tribal chiefs. Records examined for the present research did not prove that the death of the Malek Aabedi was a planned murder. However, the government dealt harshly with those it considered as intriguing in the killing. Also, it carried out a heavy propaganda campaign against the landlords and tribal chiefs and ordered disarmament of their tribes. The disarmament order, however, led to a bloody conflict for some years and further crises.