The secret U.S. overthrow of Mosaddegh served as a rallying point in anti-US protests during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and to this day he is one of the most popular figures in Iranian history. The withdrawal of support for Mosaddegh by the powerful Shia clergy has been regarded as having been motivated by their fear of a communist takeover.
What did the US do to overthrow the Shah of Iran?
CIA-assisted coup overthrows government of Iran The Iranian military, with the support and financial assistance of the United States government, overthrows the government of Premier Mohammad Mosaddeq and reinstates the Shah of Iran. Iran remained a solid Cold War ally of the United States until a revolution ended the Shah’s rule in 1979.
How did the US get rid of Mossadegh?
Beginning in January 1953, the U.S. and the Britain agreed to work together toward Mosaddegh’s removal. The plot, known as Operation Ajax, centered on convincing Iran’s monarch to issue a decree to dismiss Mossadegh from office.
Why did the British try to overthrow Mossadeq?
British intelligence sources, working with the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), came to the conclusion that Mossadeq had communist leanings and would move Iran into the Soviet orbit if allowed to stay in power. Working with Shah, the CIA and British intelligence began to engineer a plot to overthrow Mossadeq.
Why did the US not overthrow the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh?
Since President Harry S. Truman was busy fighting a war in Korea, he did not agree to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. However, in 1953, when Dwight D. Eisenhower became president, the UK convinced the U.S. to undertake a joint coup d'état.
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What happened to Mossadegh?
Mossadegh was kept under house arrest at his Ahmadabad residence, until his death on 5 March 1967. He was denied a funeral and was buried in his living room, despite his request to be buried in the public graveyard, beside the victims of the political violence on 30 Tir 1331 (21 July 1952).
Did the US support the Shah of Iran?
Following the coup, the United States financed the re-installed Shah. In the first three weeks, Washington gave Iran $68 million in emergency aid, and an additional $1.2 billion over the next decade. In this era that ensued, until the fall of the Shah in 1979, Iran was one of the United States' closest allies.
Who overthrew the Shah of Iran?
The post-revolutionary leader—Shia cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini—first came to political prominence in 1963 when he led opposition to the Shah and his White Revolution.
Why was the Shah overthrown?
Reza Shah was deposed in 1941 by an invasion of allied British and Soviet troops who believed him to be sympathetic with the allies' enemy Nazi Germany. In fact Reza Shah could not trust allied forces due to long history of British and Russian interference, separating parts of Iran and contracts exploiting Iran.
Did the CIA overthrow the Shah?
The Shah, who had been resisting the CIA's demands for the coup, finally agreed to support it. Having obtained the Shah's concurrence, the CIA executed the coup.
Why did the United States support the Shah of Iran quizlet?
Iran was caught in the larger battle between the US and USSR during the Cold War, and became an important ally for the US. Iran shared a border with the Soviet Union, and so was logistically important. It also had oil. So the US supported the Shah of Iran, even though he was a dictator because he was anti-communist.
How much money did the Shah take out of Iran?
TEHERAN, Iran, Dec. 4 — Iranian officials charge that documents uncovered in an investigation into the finances of the deposed Shah of Iran show that over $1 billion in identifiable funds was diverted or misappropriated by the Shah and his family from Iranian banks and other institutions.
How much money did the Shah of Iran take?
TEHERAN, Iran, Dec. 4 — Iranian officials charge that documents uncovered in an investigation into the finances of the deposed Shah of Iran show that over $1 billion in identifiable funds was diverted or misappropriated by the Shah and his family from Iranian banks and other institutions.
What is the conflict between Iran and US?
The 2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis was an ongoing state of heightened military tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their respective allies, in the Persian Gulf region.
What religion was the Shah of Iran?
Twelver Shi'ismMohammad Reza PahlaviReligionTwelver Shi'ismSignatureMilitary careerAllegianceIran27 more rows
Who is the current Shah of Iran?
Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of IranReza PahlaviTenure31 October 1980 – presentPredecessorFarah Diba (as regent in pretence)Born31 October 1960 Tehran, Imperial State of IranSpouseYasmine Etemad-Amini ( m. 1986)15 more rows
Who overthrew Mosaddeq?
Hook claimed that these documents demonstrated that Mosaddeq was overthrown by a coalition of Iranian actors, including Iran’s Shiite Muslim clergy, thereby eliding the CIA’s central role in recruiting, mobilizing, and coordinating these Iranian coup plotters. He pinned the blame for Mosaddeq’s downfall on Iran’s clergy: “The current religious leaders don’t want to remind people that the religious establishment at the time supported his overthrow,” Hook told the audience.
Who blamed Mosaddeq's downfall on Iran?
On May 8, the Trump administration’s special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, blamed Mosaddeq’s downfall on domestic Iranian actors at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
What was the role of Mosaddeq in the 1979 Revolution?
The coup transformed Iran’s constitutional monarchy, under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, into a royal dictatorship that was later toppled in a popular revolution in 1979. For most Iranians, Mosaddeq remains an evocative national hero because of his staunch defense of Iran’s sovereignty over its most vital national resource—oil—in the face of the declining British Empire’s stubborn refusal to let go of an extremely valuable overseas asset. For many liberal Iranians who still dream of a democratic Iran, he also remains a symbol of civic nationalism and constitutionalism because of his demand that the shah should reign but not rule.
Why is Mosaddeq considered a hero?
For most Iranians, Mosaddeq remains an evocative national hero because of his staunch defense of Iran’s sovereignty over its most vital national resource—oil—in the face of the declining British Empire’s stubborn refusal to let go of an extremely valuable overseas asset. For many liberal Iranians who still dream of a democratic Iran, ...
Who replaced Mosaddeq in the Iran coup?
The shah issued royal decrees before the coup dismissing Mosaddeq and appointing Zahedi to replace him. He then fled to Baghdad and later Rome after the initial coup attempt failed. These actions gave the coup a constitutional façade and helped turn Iranian military personnel and civilian officials against Mosaddeq.
What was the CIA's covert operation to topple Mosaddeq?
In fact, the CIA’s covert operation to topple Mosaddeq, codenamed TPAJAX, was one of the worst-kept secrets of the Cold War. Just days after the coup, the U.S. ambassador in Tehran, Loy Henderson, reported to Washington a “widespread” rumor in Tehran that the United States was behind the fall of Mosaddeq. Associates of Iran’s new post-coup prime ...
What was the impact of the nationalization of Iranian oil?
The nationalization of Iranian oil was not only a blow to Britain’s economic interests in Iran but to the very survival of the British Empire in the Middle East.
Who overthrows the Shah of Iran?
The Iranian military, with the support and financial assistance of the United States government, overthrows the government of Premier Mohammad Mosaddeq and reinstates the Shah of Iran. Iran remained a solid Cold War ally of the United States until a revolution ended the Shah’s rule in 1979.
How long was Mossadeq in prison?
Mossadeq was arrested, served three years in prison, and died under house arrest in 1967. The Shah became one of America’s most trusted Cold War allies, and U.S. economic and military aid poured into Iran during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
What happened to the Iranian government?
The Iranian military, with the support and financial assistance of the United States government, overthrows the government of Premier Mohammad Mosaddeq and reinstates the Shah of Iran.
How did the CIA help the Shah?
Working with Shah, the CIA and British intelligence began to engineer a plot to overthrow Mossadeq. The Iranian premier, however, got wind of the plan and called his supporters to take to the streets in protest. At this point, the Shah left the country for “medical reasons.” While British intelligence backed away from the debacle, the CIA continued its covert operations in Iran. Working with pro-Shah forces and, most importantly, the Iranian military, the CIA cajoled, threatened, and bribed its way into influence and helped to organize another coup attempt against Mossadeq. On August 19, 1953, the military, backed by street protests organized and financed by the CIA, overthrew Mossadeq. The Shah quickly returned to take power and, as thanks for the American help, signed over 40 percent of Iran’s oil fields to U.S. companies.
What was the most serious threat to the U.S. power in Iran?
Angry militants seized the U.S. embassy and held the American staff hostage until January 1981. Nationalism, not communism, proved to be the most serious threat to U.S. power in Iran.
Who was the leader of Iran in 1951?
Mosaddeq came to prominence in Iran in 1951 when he was appointed premier. A fierce nationalist, Mosaddeq immediately began attacks on British oil companies operating in his country, calling for expropriation and nationalization of the oil fields. His actions brought him into conflict with the pro-Western elites of Iran and the Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlevi. Indeed, the Shah dismissed Mossadeq in mid-1952, but massive public riots condemning the action forced the Shah to reinstate Mossadeq a short time later. U.S. officials watched events in Iran with growing suspicion. British intelligence sources, working with the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), came to the conclusion that Mossadeq had communist leanings and would move Iran into the Soviet orbit if allowed to stay in power.
When did the Shah take power in Iran?
On August 19, 1953, the military, backed by street protests organized and financed by the CIA, overthrew Mossadeq. The Shah quickly returned to take power and, as thanks for the American help, signed over 40 percent of Iran’s oil fields to U.S. companies.
Why did the US kick out Mossadegh?
The main reason the US kicked out Mossadegh and destroyed Iranian democracy in the process is because Mossadegh was seen by the USA as a socialist and was actually successfully leading Iran toward a social democracy. USA cannot abide socialism thus it offed Mossadegh.
What happened after Mossadegh assumed power?
Actually, after Mossadegh “assumed power” it wasn’t much of a democracy. He nationalized the oil companies and took all their revenues in order to pay for the free stuff he’d promised.
Why did nationalization not result in a coup?
There were a few reasons why nationalization did not result in a coup in both cases: Communism: There was a large fear in the West that the Mossadegh government in Iran would enter the Soviet sphere. There was no such fear for Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia was a reliable US ally (militarily and economically speaking).
Why did the US destroy Iran?
The main reason the US kicked out Mossadegh and destroyed Iranian democracy in the process is because Mossadegh was seen by the USA as a socialist and was actually successfully leading Iran toward a social democracy. USA cannot abide socialism thus it offed Mossadegh.
Why did the US overthrow Iran's government in 1953?
Originally Answered: Why did the US overthrow Iran's government in 1953 over nationalization of oil supplies, but didn't try to overthrow the Saudi government in 1980 when the Saudis nationalized Saudi Aramco?
Why didn't the US like Mosaddegh?
Bottom line: The US just didn't like Mosaddegh (probably because Mosaddegh didn't like the US). There was a lot of oil at stake and the US wanted its "fair" share of it (which Mosaddegh wasn't going to surrender).
Why did the US puppet the Shah of Iran?
For the sake of democracy and global prosperity, and against a fake but still dangerous commie, they puppeted the Shah of Iran to lead a more accommodating policy.
When did the U.S. and Britain agree to remove Mossadegh?
Now, pleas from British intelligence officials and Winston Churchill to oust Mossadegh had a more receptive audience. Beginning in January 1953, the U.S. and the Britain agreed to work together toward Mosaddegh’s removal.
What was Mosaddegh's nationalization?
In October 1952, Mosaddegh declared Britain an enemy and cut all diplomatic relations. Britain was unable to resolve the issue unilaterally and looked towards the United States for help.
What was Grady's attitude toward the Shah?
STUTESMAN: [Ambassador] Grady reluctantly was forced to concentrate on Mossadegh (pictured), and his attitude toward the Shah, I believe, was that the Shah was a secondary factor, Mossadegh was the person to deal with and to influence if he could. I don’t think he scorned the Shah, but I just think he had to concentrate on what he thought was the main objective.
Why did Mohammad Mossadegh become Prime Minister of Iran?
Mohammad Mossadegh became Prime Minister of Iran in 1951 and was hugely popular for taking a stand against the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, a British-owned oil company that had made huge profits while paying Iran only 16% of its profits and often far less . His nationalization efforts led the British government to begin planning to remove him from power. In October 1952, Mosaddegh declared Britain an enemy and cut all diplomatic relations. Britain was unable to resolve the issue unilaterally and looked towards the United States for help. However, the U.S. had opposed British policies; Secretary of State Dean Acheson said the British had “a rule-or-ruin policy in Iran.”
What was the plot of the Shah?
The plot, known as Operation Ajax, centered on convincing Iran’s monarch to issue a decree to dismiss Mossadegh from office. But the Shah was reluctant to attempt such an unpopular and legally questionable move. He finally relented, after much persuasion and bribes to his family. In early August, Iranian CIA operatives threatened Muslim leaders with “savage punishment if they opposed Mossadegh,” thereby giving the impression that Mossadegh was cracking down on dissent.
Why did Grady groan?
He would groan at the obduracy of the British, the blankness of their minds when it came to dealing with Iranians. I would say he was probably much more angered and frustrated by the English than he was by sweet old Mossadegh. (Laughs) Although Mossadegh was a far more dangerous foe.
Why was the CIA called a weak reed?
Mossadegh exiled the Shah and the Shah had to come back. And the Shah was a gentle man, very gentle. We called him a “weak reed” because he needed a lot of guidance.
Why did Mossadegh work?
Mossadegh worked in the belief that the Americans would not allow Russia to control Iran. The Americans were the new power and owed nothing to the British, Mossadegh felt that if he kicked out the British and threatened the Americans with Russian hegemony, that we’d rush in. He wasn’t that far wrong; we did in the end.
What was the plot behind the removal of Mossadegh?
Eisenhower was elected President in 1952. Beginning in January 1953, the U.S. and Britain agreed to work together toward Mosaddegh’s removal. The plot, known as Operation Ajax, centered on convincing Iran’s monarch to issue a decree to dismiss Mossadegh from office.
Why was the CIA called a weak reed?
Mossadegh exiled the Shah and the Shah had to come back. And the Shah was a gentle man, very gentle. We called him a “weak reed” because he needed a lot of guidance. Advertisement.
What was Henderson's role in Iran?
Having said that I believe he was deeply reluctant, Henderson’s role was nonetheless to carry out policy, and he very carefully developed an attitude and helped to sponsor an attitude in Iran that Mossadegh was leading the country to ruin and to Communist control.
Who helped to sponsor an attitude in Iran that Mossadegh was leading the country to ruin and to Communist?
And then the workers go to work, Henderson and some of the others. Having said that I believe he was deeply reluctant, Henderson 's role was nonetheless to carry out policy, and he very carefully developed an attitude and helped to sponsor an attitude in Iran that Mossadegh was leading the country to ruin and to Communist control.
Who declared Britain an enemy?
In October 1952, Mosaddegh declared Britain an enemy and cut all diplomatic relations. Britain looked towards the United States for help. However, the U.S. had opposed British policies; Secretary of State Dean Acheson said the British had “a rule-or-ruin policy in Iran.”. Advertisement.
Who was Eisenhower's brother?
Advertisement. You had Eisenhower as President, John Foster Dulles as Secretary of State, his brother Allen as the head of CIA, and Smith having been the closest associate of Eisenhower during the war and having been the deputy in CIA, now as the deputy in the State Department.
How long did Mossadegh rule?
Mossadegh was placed on trial and spent his life under house arrest. The shah returned to power and ruled for another 25 years until the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The 1953 coup was later invoked by students and the political class in Iran as a justification for overthrowing the shah.
What was the most important thing that Mohammad Mossadegh did?
During his tenure, he introduced a range of social and economic policies, the most significant being the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry. Great Britain had controlled Iran's oil for decades through the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. After months of talks the prime minister broke off negotiations and denied the British any further involvement in Iran's oil industry. Britain then appealed to the United States for help, which eventually led the CIA to orchestrate the overthrow of Mossadegh and restore power to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.
How did Roosevelt control the Iranian press?
According to Stephen Kinzer, author of the book All the Shah's Men, Roosevelt quickly seized control of the Iranian press by buying them off with bribes and circulating anti-Mossadegh propaganda. He recruited allies among the Islamic clergy, and he convinced the shah that Mossadegh was a threat. The last step entailed a dramatic attempt to apprehend Mossadegh at his house in the middle of the night. But the coup failed. Mossadegh learned of it and fought back. The next morning, he announced victory over the radio.
What happened in August 1953?
Over the course of four days in August 1953, Roosevelt would orchestrate not one, but two attempts to destabilize the government of Iran, forever changing the relationship between the country and the U.S. In this episode, we go back to retrace what happened in the inaugural episode of NPR's new history podcast, Throughline.
When did the protests in Iran happen?
Enlarge this image. August 19, 1953: Massive protests broke out across Iran, leaving almost 300 dead in firefights in the streets of Tehran. Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh was soon overthrown in a coup orchestrated by the CIA and British intelligence. The Shah was reinstalled as Iran's leader.
When did the CIA admit to the coup?
On Aug. 19, 2013, the CIA publicly admitted for the first time its involvement in the 1953 coup against Iran's elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.
When was the Shah reinstalled?
The Shah was reinstalled as Iran's leader. August 19, 1953: Massive protests broke out across Iran, leaving almost 300 dead in firefights in the streets of Tehran.
Why was Mossadegh so unpopular?
During the oil crisis, Mossadegh became very unpopular. Things were so bad that when it was clear that his now fractured party would not gain a majority, he cancelled parliamentary elections. In February 1953 there were mass demonstrations against Mossadegh (possibly arranged for or instigated by foreign agents including the CIA); demonstrations of enough severity for Mossadegh to increase security measures in Iran.
Who was responsible for the coup against Mossadegh?
The United States government, namely the CIA, is often blamed for the August 1953 coup removing Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh from power, however a careful examination of older studies, in addition to newly accessible information, ...
How was Mossadegh elected?
While Mossadegh was elected to the Majles (the Iranian Parliament) by democratic means (Iran at the time was not a democracy by any means, though some aspects of it were democratic in nature), the office of Prime Minister was nominated from amongst the Majles deputies by the Shah. In turn, the Majles members either voted for or against the nomination (In his initial appointment Mossadegh was approved by a tally of 79-12). Mossadegh enjoyed massive popularity at different times during his political career, but his position as Prime Minister was never due to a nationwide poll (he was PM on two separate occasions).
What was the Iranian public unhappy with before Mossadegh became Prime Minister?
Before Mossadegh became Prime Minister, the Iranian public was unhappy with the state of affairs in Iran; Mossadegh with his sincere populism was seen by the Shah as a clever alternative to yet another feudal landowner or military officer. This is also a key factor in Misconception #6 .
What was the TPAJAX coup?
It is clear from the record that the attempted coup (code-named TPAJAX) which was undertaken on the night of August 15th, 1953, was a dismal failure. Not only did the Iranian military officers fail in their task to arrest Mossadegh, the CIA did not have a backup plan. Even though Kermit Roosevelt claimed to have magically turned the situation around in only 3 days, the circumstances of what really happened between the failed coup of August 15/16 and the successful one of the 19th is highly contentious. How did the situation turn around so quickly, despite the early setbacks including the arrest of pivotal Iranian conspirators such as Colonel Zand-Karimi, the conduit for communicating with Tehran-based commanders? Roosevelt’s version of events is difficult to accept without reservation, not only because of the style and substance of his writing, but also because of his well-known questionable reliability.
Why did the US not have oil interests in Iran?
The primary goal of the Americans was to prevent the spread of Communism, and to secondary was to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible (see National Security Council document NSC 136/1 ). This is not to say that the United States did not have a vested interest in Middle Eastern oil (e.g. Saudi Arabia ), but rather that from the American side, co-opting Iran’s oil interests was not the motivation for a coup. Since at least 1943, US policy had been to develop Middle Eastern oil because North American and Caribbean oil would be easier to defend in war. If anything, a quick resolution was the most important factor to the American; something clearly reflected in their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
When did the Mossadegh demonstrations happen?
In February 1953 there were mass demonstrations against Mossadegh (possibly arranged for or instigated by foreign agents including the CIA); demonstrations of enough severity for Mossadegh to increase security measures in Iran. 1.
