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{{more sources|date=December 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox spy
{{Infobox spy
| honorific_prefix = [[Sir]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Sir]]
| name = Shapoor Reporter
| name = Shapoor Ardeshirji Reporter
| honorific_suffix = [[KBE]]
| honorific_suffix = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]]
| nickname =
| nickname =
| image =
| image = Shapoor Reporter at Mehrabad airport in 1954 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
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| other =
| other =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1920
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|2|26}}
| birth_place = [[Tehran]], [[Persia]]
| birth_place = [[Tehran]], [[Persia]]
| death_date = {{Death year and age|2005|1920}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2013|12|23|1921|2|26}}
| death_place = [[Argentina]]
| death_place = [[London]]
| death_cause = Prostate cancer
| buried =
| buried =
| height =
| height =
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| module =
| module =
}}
}}
'''Shapoor Reporter''' or Sir Shapoor Reporter [[KBE]] (1 January 1920 - 2005) was a British intelligence agent in [[Iran]] who had an important role in the [[1953 Iranian coup d'état]] against the prime minister of the time, [[Mohammad Mosaddegh]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Ends of British imperialism: the scramble for empire, Suez and decolonization : collected essays |authorlink=William Roger Louis |last=Louis |first=William Roger |page=775 |year=2006 |publisher=[[I. B. Tauris]] |isbn=978-1-84511-347-6 }}</ref>
'''Sir Shapoor Reporter''' [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire|KBE]] (1921–2013) was a British diplomat, journalist, businessman in [[Pahlavi Iran|Pahlavi-era Iran]]. He was a confidant to [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], the late [[Pahlavi dynasty|Shah of Iran]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Dorril |first=Stephen |url= |title=MI6: Inside the Covert World of Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service |date=2002 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-7432-1778-1 |language=en}}</ref> Throughout his career, he worked in a variety of capacities, including as an English teacher, a foreign journalist, and primarily as a political and financial broker.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Encyclopaedia Iranica |title=Great Britain vi. British influence in Persia, 1941-79 |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/great-britain-vi |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=iranicaonline.org |language=en-US}}</ref> He was well recognised for having strong ties to the Pahlavi establishment due to his friendship with the reigning Shah since their days in school.<ref name=":0" /> He is alleged to have also worked as a British intelligence agent in [[Iran]] and to have had an important role in the [[1953 Iranian coup d'état|1953 coup d'état]] against the prime minister of the time, [[Mohammad Mosaddegh]] in support of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.<ref>{{cite book |title=Ends of British imperialism: the scramble for empire, Suez and decolonization : collected essays |authorlink=Wm. Roger Louis |last=Louis |first=Wm. Roger |page=775 |year=2006 |publisher=[[I. B. Tauris]] |isbn=978-1-84511-347-6 }}</ref> This narrative that he was a crucial British intelligence asset has been disputed. According to [[Fakhreddin Azimi]] at the [[University of Connecticut]] his importance and role "seem[s] exaggerated and have not been corroborated by the available documentary sources".{{cite quote}} His loyalty to the Shah was remarked upon by [[Denis Wright]], the British ambassador when he worked as journalist for [[The Times]]. Wright described Reporter, as "the shah's man", and noted that "I have yet to read a message from him containing a word which might induce His Majesty’s displeasure".<ref name=":1" />


==Biography==
==Biography==
Shapoor Reporter was born in [[Tehran]] in 1920. His father, [[Ardeshir Reporter]], was an Indian Parsi and a British intelligence officer who came from Mumbai to Tehran in 1893 as the agent of Parsis and developed friendships in the British Legation and began to work for the British.
Shapoor Reporter was born in [[Tehran]] in 1921, some sources including [[Ervand Abrahamian]] report he was born in [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Abrahamian |first=Ervand |url= |title=The Coup: 1953, the CIA, and the Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations |date=2013-11-05 |publisher=The New Press |isbn=978-1-59558-862-3 |language=en}}</ref> His father, [[Ardeshir Reporter]], was an Indian [[Parsi]] and a British intelligence officer who came from Mumbai to Tehran in 1893 as the agent of Parsis. Ardeshir Reporter was one of the pivotal people in the foundation of the Pahlavi dynasty, and he was personally able to secure British support for the budding officer [[Reza Shah|Reza Khan]] against the [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] dynasty.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ghani |first=Cyrus |url= |title=Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power |date=2000-10-27 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-86064-629-4 |language=en}}</ref>


Educated in Westminster and Kings College, Shapoor Reporter graduated in Political Science and Literature. In 1943 Shapoor Reporter was sent to India to set up the Radio Delhi programs being broadcast in [[Persian language|Persian]]. In 1945 he was assigned to serve in [[Bahrain]], and after one year was sent to [[China]].
Educated in Westminster and Kings College, Shapoor Reporter graduated in Political Science and Literature. In 1943, Shapoor Reporter was sent to India to set up the Radio Delhi programs being broadcast in [[Persian language|Persian]]. In 1945, he was assigned to serve in [[Bahrain]], and after one year was sent to [[China]].


In 1947 Shapoor Reporter was sent to [[Tehran]] to serve as secretary to the first Indian ambassador in Tehran. During the oil nationalization in Iran, he was accorded as assistant to the U.S. ambassador [[Loy W. Henderson]] for three years, during which he had a role in the 1953 military coup. As a reward, he was offered a position in the State Department and U.S. citizenship by the U.S. secretary of state for "his brilliant services to the common cause". Then he was appointed as liaison officer for [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], the Shah of Iran.
In 1947, Shapoor Reporter was sent to [[Tehran]] to serve as secretary to the first Indian ambassador in Tehran. During the oil nationalization in Iran, he was accorded as assistant to the U.S. ambassador [[Loy W. Henderson]] for three years, during which he had a role in the 1953 military coup. As a reward, he was offered a position in the State Department and U.S. citizenship by the U.S. secretary of state for "his brilliant services to the common cause". Then he was appointed as liaison officer for [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], the Shah of Iran.


Shapoor Reporter became a [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1972, shortly after acting as an intermediary in a £100 million arms sale from the United Kingdom to Iran, for which he also received £1 million from the UK Ministry of Defence.<ref>{{cite book |title=The politics of British arms sales since 1964: 'to secure our rightful share' |last=Phythian |first=Mark |page=89 |year=2000 |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |isbn=978-0-7190-5907-0 }}</ref> In a 1976 bribes trial in London, he was described as "Mr. Fixit" and he was said to have received £1 million commission on one arms deal. Shapoor Reporter died of [[prostate cancer]] in Argentina in 2005.<ref>Shapoor Reporter, an article written in Persian, www.wikiarya.org/history-riporter.htm</ref>
Shapoor Reporter became a [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1973, shortly after acting as an intermediary in a £100 million arms sale from the United Kingdom to Iran, for which he also received £1 million from the UK Ministry of Defence.<ref>{{cite book |title=The politics of British arms sales since 1964: 'to secure our rightful share' |last=Phythian |first=Mark |page=89 |year=2000 |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |isbn=978-0-7190-5907-0 }}</ref> In a 1976 bribes trial in London, he was described as "Mr. Fixit" and he was said to have received £1 million commission on one arms deal. Shapoor Reporter died in [[London]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-features-49427817|title=نیم قرن خرید تسلیحاتی ایران از بریتانیا (۴)؛ اختلاف‌ها بالا می‌گیرند|last=مهبد ابراهیمی، آناهیتا شمس|date=21 August 2019|website=[[BBC Persian]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>

==Title and styles==

*Shapoor Reporter (1 January 1920 - 2005)
*Sir Shapoor Reporter [[KBE]] (1 January 1973 - 2005)


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Reporter, Shapoor}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reporter, Shapoor}}
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
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[[Category:2013 deaths]]
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[[Category:Arms traders]]
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[[Category:British expatriates in India]]
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[[Category:British expatriates in Iran]]
[[Category:British intelligence operatives]]
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[[Category:British people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:British people of Parsi descent]]
[[Category:British Zoroastrians]]
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[[Category:Iranian Zoroastrians]]
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[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:MI6 operatives in Iran]]
[[Category:Parsi people]]
[[Category:Parsi people]]
[[Category:British people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:People educated at Westminster School, London]]
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[[Category:Iranian expatriates in India]]
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[[Category:Iranian people of Indian descent]]
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[[Category:Iranian exiles]]
[[Category:People from Tehran]]
[[Category:People from Tehran]]
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[[Category:People of the Iranian Revolution]]
[[Category:People educated at Westminster School, London]]
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[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
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[[Category:British intelligence operatives]]
[[Category:People of the Central Intelligence Agency]]
[[Category:People of the Central Intelligence Agency]]
[[Category:Arms traders]]
[[Category:People of the Iranian revolution]]
[[Category:Death in Argentina]]
[[Category:20th-century British businesspeople]]
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[[Category:2005 deaths]]

Revision as of 07:53, 12 October 2024

Sir
Shapoor Ardeshirji Reporter
KBE
Born(1921-02-26)February 26, 1921
Tehran, Persia
DiedDecember 23, 2013(2013-12-23) (aged 92)
London
Espionage activity
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service branchSecret Intelligence Service
OperationsOperation Boot

Sir Shapoor Reporter KBE (1921–2013) was a British diplomat, journalist, businessman in Pahlavi-era Iran. He was a confidant to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the late Shah of Iran.[1] Throughout his career, he worked in a variety of capacities, including as an English teacher, a foreign journalist, and primarily as a political and financial broker.[2] He was well recognised for having strong ties to the Pahlavi establishment due to his friendship with the reigning Shah since their days in school.[1] He is alleged to have also worked as a British intelligence agent in Iran and to have had an important role in the 1953 coup d'état against the prime minister of the time, Mohammad Mosaddegh in support of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.[3] This narrative that he was a crucial British intelligence asset has been disputed. According to Fakhreddin Azimi at the University of Connecticut his importance and role "seem[s] exaggerated and have not been corroborated by the available documentary sources".[This quote needs a citation] His loyalty to the Shah was remarked upon by Denis Wright, the British ambassador when he worked as journalist for The Times. Wright described Reporter, as "the shah's man", and noted that "I have yet to read a message from him containing a word which might induce His Majesty’s displeasure".[2]

Biography

Shapoor Reporter was born in Tehran in 1921, some sources including Ervand Abrahamian report he was born in Delhi.[4] His father, Ardeshir Reporter, was an Indian Parsi and a British intelligence officer who came from Mumbai to Tehran in 1893 as the agent of Parsis. Ardeshir Reporter was one of the pivotal people in the foundation of the Pahlavi dynasty, and he was personally able to secure British support for the budding officer Reza Khan against the Qajar dynasty.[5]

Educated in Westminster and Kings College, Shapoor Reporter graduated in Political Science and Literature. In 1943, Shapoor Reporter was sent to India to set up the Radio Delhi programs being broadcast in Persian. In 1945, he was assigned to serve in Bahrain, and after one year was sent to China.

In 1947, Shapoor Reporter was sent to Tehran to serve as secretary to the first Indian ambassador in Tehran. During the oil nationalization in Iran, he was accorded as assistant to the U.S. ambassador Loy W. Henderson for three years, during which he had a role in the 1953 military coup. As a reward, he was offered a position in the State Department and U.S. citizenship by the U.S. secretary of state for "his brilliant services to the common cause". Then he was appointed as liaison officer for Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran.

Shapoor Reporter became a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1973, shortly after acting as an intermediary in a £100 million arms sale from the United Kingdom to Iran, for which he also received £1 million from the UK Ministry of Defence.[6] In a 1976 bribes trial in London, he was described as "Mr. Fixit" and he was said to have received £1 million commission on one arms deal. Shapoor Reporter died in London in 2013.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Dorril, Stephen (2002). MI6: Inside the Covert World of Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-1778-1.
  2. ^ a b Foundation, Encyclopaedia Iranica. "Great Britain vi. British influence in Persia, 1941-79". iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  3. ^ Louis, Wm. Roger (2006). Ends of British imperialism: the scramble for empire, Suez and decolonization : collected essays. I. B. Tauris. p. 775. ISBN 978-1-84511-347-6.
  4. ^ Abrahamian, Ervand (2013-11-05). The Coup: 1953, the CIA, and the Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations. The New Press. ISBN 978-1-59558-862-3.
  5. ^ Ghani, Cyrus (2000-10-27). Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-86064-629-4.
  6. ^ Phythian, Mark (2000). The politics of British arms sales since 1964: 'to secure our rightful share'. Manchester University Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-7190-5907-0.
  7. ^ مهبد ابراهیمی، آناهیتا شمس (21 August 2019). "نیم قرن خرید تسلیحاتی ایران از بریتانیا (۴)؛ اختلاف‌ها بالا می‌گیرند". BBC Persian. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
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