Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, was a controversial figure in Iranian history. A number of synonyms can be used to describe him, including "the king of kings," "the Shah," and "the Iranian monarch." He is also sometimes referred to simply as "Mohammed Reza" or "Reza Shah," the latter a nod to his father, Reza Shah Pahlavi, who founded the Pahlavi dynasty. Pahlavi is often remembered for his attempts to modernize Iran, but also for his authoritarian rule and close relationship with the United States, which led many Iranians to view him as a puppet of American interests.