Jafari’s exact role on August 19 remains a matter of historical debate. He had previously been arrested following the clashes of March 9, 1953 (9 Esfand 1331) and the attack on Mosaddegh’s home. In later years, Jafari insisted that he had remained in prison until around noon on August 19 and was released only after the events had begun. He also denied receiving money from the United States, Britain, or the royal court in exchange for participating in the coup, maintaining that his support for the Shah was based on his personal convictions.
Nevertheless, in many historical accounts, his name appears as one of the most prominent figures among the pro-Shah street forces involved in the events of that period. After August 19, Jafari’s position changed considerably, and he became a well-known figure in the sporting and government circles of the Pahlavi era. He was eventually given the nickname “Shaban, the King-Maker” (Shaban Tajbakhsh), reflecting his association with the restoration of the Shah’s power.
