[2] Then he attended the officer's college and was sent to France for further studies in mechanics and military sciences together with a group of students.

[2] He was named as Chief of Staff of the Army appointed by Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh replacing Mahmoud Baharmast in the post.

The operation, the secret history says, "still might have succeeded in spite of this advance warning had not most of the participants proved to be inept or lacking in decision at the critical juncture."

Dr. Mossadegh's chief of staff, Gen. Taghi Riahi, learned of the plot hours before it was to begin and sent his deputy to the barracks of the Imperial Guard.

[2] However, upon the request of Mehdi Bazargan who led the interim government Riani returned to Iran and took office as the minister of national defence for a short time.