People have asked me: why did I write this book? Because I wanted people to know what Iran was really like. We loved the people, the ordinary Iranians who welcomed us into their lives. Educated people started the Iranian Revolution because they wanted power and money. Their leaders promised them well-paying jobs in the new government, if they pulled it off. The people behind the Revolution, the organizers, didn’t like the Shah’s efforts to help women and poor farmers. They didn’t approve of his policy of cooperation with the United States and other Western countries. These policies threatened the upper echelons of power in Iran. So those in power turned to terrorism.

When they staged the Revolution, they deliberately put poor people, especially women and children, in harm’s way. Killing innocent women and children makes a bigger impact in the media. So, these organizers went to places like South Teheran, where the poor, devout people live. They incited the crowds and force them to riot against the Americans.

One time, a friend of mine was riding on a bus in Teheran. This was in 1979 during the Revolution. The bus was full of Americans, heading north out of Teheran towards the Turkish border. Poor people surged up and surrounded the American bus. They were pushing and rocking the bus. Some of them were waving and throwing things, chanting slogans and yelling at the Americans. But what they were throwing at the bus was candy! It was clear they did not want to riot against the Americans, but they were afraid to disobey their mullahs. These mullahs, the organizers, were in the back, so they wouldn’t get hurt.  And they were beneficiaries of the departing Shah’s wealth.

The Shah left behind a stunning collection of priceless jewelled crowns, swords, thrones, necklaces, boxes inlaid with precious rubies, emeralds, pearls and more. Some of these items mysteriously “disappeared” during the early days of the Iranian Revolution. I was told by friends that Ayatollah Khomeini’s son, stole a number of precious jewels in 1979. These jewels were considered part of the Pahlavi dynasty. They were national treasures. People were not permitted to touch them, nor were they allowed to leave Iran. But suddenly, Khomeini’s son was a rich man. The remaining jewels are said to be housed in a secure location, the Treasury of National Jewels in Teheran.

People want power and influence, and money.   Without money, there’s nothing in Iran. People are fatalistic because they have nothing to do. Why did I write this book?  Because we abandoned the people of Iran.  Jimmy the C.  (former President Jimmy Carter) changed U.S. policy with absolutely no regard for how this would affect the people of Iran.  Iranian friends asked me, “Why has your country abandoned us? You have signed our death warrants!”   And in truth, many of my dear friends died before firing squads.  Americans were no longer trusted; we had betrayed our friends.”