The United States recognized these goals, but the Truman administration was still cautious. America’s Middle Eastern strategy was not yet fully formed, and the U.S. had not committed to the kind of deep involvement that would characterize later decades. The White House meeting between the Shah and President Harry S. Truman focused heavily on internal stability and the rising threat of communism. The Shah argued that economic insecurity and underdevelopment created fertile ground for Soviet influence. Modernization, he insisted, was not merely an economic goal—it was a geopolitical necessity.
Truman expressed support for independence and stability but offered limited immediate assistance. However, the visit helped shape future U.S. policy, contributing to inclusion in early Cold War aid programs such as the Point Four Program, which delivered technical assistance in fields like agriculture, education, and public health. His polished demeanor and articulate English made a strong impression. The American public was also intrigued by deep history and by the Shah’s vision of modernization, which he described in terms of progress, education, and national pride.
