Kamal Habibollahi

While Princess Azadeh was in Cairo, she received the unexpected news about the Tabarzin. She immediately contacted Aryana, who explained that this was the beginning of a significant event. Azadeh then flew to Turkey to meet with the Aryana at his temporary headquarters. Upon learning that the individuals who had seized the Tabarzin were members of Azadegan, Azadeh couldn't contain her excitement. However, she gradually became concerned about their safety. What would happen if the gunboat encountered any problems? What if someone drowned? These and many other questions plagued her mind. From then on, she could only hope and pray that the situation would end peacefully and quickly. As the world became aware of the events that had taken place, the Azadegan organization promptly claimed responsibility. During an impromptu press conference at Aryana's apartment, a self-proclaimed military spokesperson announced that the Tabarzin had been seized by "patriotic forces." The spokesperson stated that the objective of Azadegan was to "overthrow the mullahs in Iran" and claimed that 1,400 highly trained partisans were preparing to take action from their Turkish bases.

General Aryana also released a statement in which he commended Admiral Habibollahi and his "courageous" commandos. Bakhtiar immediately lent his support to Aryana, projecting a united front in their campaign to liberate Iran. Azadegan deliberately downplayed the fact that the majority of individuals on the Tabarzin were staunch monarchists, which later became a contentious issue among the opposition. When press helicopters flew over the gunboat, the commandos would make V-signs and chant, "Vive Le Roi!" Others held up photos of Reza Pahlavi. One individual, wearing dark glasses and a cap, defiantly posed with a pistol and sub-machine gun. In Tehran, the revolutionary authorities were forced to acknowledge that one of their gunboats had been hijacked by pirates and had gone missing. Later, they accused the Spanish government of not intervening and threatened diplomatic retaliation. However, by then, the Tabarzin was en route to Morocco.[9]

After a treacherous journey through stormy weather, the Tabarzin arrived at Casablanca. At this stage, the captain and the young crew on board had hoped that Reza Pahlavi, whom they referred to as Reza Shah II, would agree to join them. Aryana's plan was not in alignment with the idea, but Habibollahi didn't completely reject it. However, upon going ashore, he was unexpectedly arrested by the Moroccan king's orders. Surrounded, the crew threatened to fire on Casablanca as a last ditch resort. Reza Pahlavi was informed of the Tabarzin's situation by King Hassan while he was in Egypt. The king had apprehended the crew and sought advice on what to do with them. The young shah needed some time to contemplate the situation and assured King Hassan that he would provide a response soon. Shortly after, Reza Pahlavi sought the advice of President Sadat, but the latter declined to get involved. In the meantime, King Hassan sent his private plane to bring Reza Pahlavi to Rabat for an emergency meeting with senior Moroccan officials.

After thorough discussions, Reza Pahlavi expressed his understanding of the patriotic intentions of the hijackers, but emphasized that their actions were considered illegal by international standards, and he could not condone them. Eventually, all parties reached a compromise: the Tabarzin would be allowed to refuel and depart for Toulon, where it would be handed over to the French navy, and the crew would be treated fairly.[9]

Habibollahi announced that he and his accomplices would turn themselves in and before departing the Tabarzin for the last time, a brief ceremony was held where the Imperial Iran flag was lowered to the Imperial Anthem for the last time with many salutes from French Marines, ending 2500 years of Persian naval tradition that began under Artemisia I of Caria under Xerxes I but now ended with the man standing before them, Kamal Habibollahi.[5]

Princess Azadeh was in Paris when she learned that the Tabarzin had reached French waters. She was furious with Azadegan for having endangered the lives of several young kids. A well-placed source had told her about the lack of preparation and consideration shown to them. The whole operation had been a temporary show so that General Aryana could raise funds from Bakhtiar who in turn could claim that he had a military wing capable of action.

Nonetheless, she was proud of the kids and in order to show her support she flew to Toulon to greet them. Outside Toulon Prison she found a large crowd made of over a hundred Iranian exiles who had spent the day calling for their release. One of the protestors told her that the Tabarzin crew had already been transferred to Marseilles and Paris by bus.[9]

On Avenue Foch, two days later, Habibollahi faced the press for the last symbolic performance. Looking handsome in an elegant suit, he declared that the Tabarzin Affair had served to demonstrate that millions of Iranians were ready to denounce the crimes of the mullahs, and that their mission was a success. When asked if he agreed with Tehran's accusation that he was a pirate, he replied with a smile, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you, do I look like a pirate or Khomeini?"

"Our goal is to unite all Iranians in order to win back our country," he announced. "Most of us are monarchists by tradition, but we also have republicans in our midst. Of course, it is the people who will decide which to choose. As for me, I can receive political asylum in France, but I will soon be leaving for other missions."

The story of the Tabarzin became a legend, but many of the young men who had played a vital role grew disillusioned when they realized they had been exploited. Some of them joined Aryana in Turkey, but returned embittered, complaining that the Liberation Army was all a bluff and that their lives had been ruined. Azadeh tried to help them find a place to stay and jobs, but they had to work hard to make ends meet. Some of them found work as drivers or security officers, while others were involved in shady activities and ran into trouble.

The captain of the Tabarzin, the unsung hero of the operation, never forgave those who had deceived him. For those closely connected to the Tabarzin Affair, the entire episode left a bitter feeling that their patriotism had been abused by a group of elderly generals and politicians who thought only of self-aggrandizement. Aryana's liberation armies soon disappeared, and the General spent the rest of his life a broken man living in a fantasy world of his own making.[9]