An officer who was a helicopter pilot broke rank and threw himself at His Majesty's feet, and after that everyone paid their final farewells to the emperor. There was no guard of honor or the usual pomp and circumstance on such occasions.

Dr Bakhtiar, Javad Saeed, the head of the Majlis, the head of the Senate, members of the Imperial Guard and the King's security men formed a ring around the Shahanshah and the Shahbanou who said their goodbyes.

One of the Imperial Guards raised a tray bearing the holy Koran so that they may pass underneath it and receive protection on the journey ahead of them. It was a very exciting and emotional scene.

Everyone was in pain. General Gharabaghi ran towards the Shahanshah asking in a loud voice how he should keep His Majesty informed of the military situation while he was abroad.

His Majesty answered, "What reports? When I'm not here what reports do you want to give? You decide whatever is necessary."

Before stepping into the plane, the Shahanshah turned to Bakhtiar and said: "We have worked very hard to build up the Imperial Iranian Navy. Try not to cut anything from her annual budget."

General Gharabaghi went inside the plane. He returned a few moments later. His Majesty put on his dark sunglasses and accompanied by the Shahbanou went inside the aircraft (the pilot was Colonel Moezi).

It was one o'clock on that wintry afternoon on January 16th (26 Dey) when the royal plane took off from Tehran's Mehrabad airport.