Reza Shah Pahlavi (15 March 1878 – 26 July 1944) was an Iranian military officer, minister of war, prime minister, and first Shah of the House of Pahlavi of the Imperial State of Iran. He reigned from 15 December 1925 until he was forced to abdicate by the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran on 16 September 1941. Reza Shah introduced many social, economic, and political reforms during his reign, ultimately laying the foundation of the modern Iranian state. Therefore, he is regarded as the founder of modern Iran.