overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran
Factsheet
1953 Iranian coup d'état Part of the Abadan Crisis and the Cold War
Coup supporters celebrate victory in Tehran
Coup supporters celebrate victory in Tehran
Government-Insurgents
Iranian Government supporters House of Pahlavi supporters
United States
United Kingdom
United States
United Kingdom
1953 Iranian coup d'état Part of the Abadan Crisis and the Cold War
Coup supporters celebrate victory in Tehran
Coup supporters celebrate victory in Tehran
Government-Insurgents
Iranian Government supporters House of Pahlavi supporters
United States
United Kingdom
United States
United Kingdom
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › 1953_Iranian_coup_d'état
1953 Iranian coup d'état - Wikipedia
3 days ago - On 19 August 1953, Prime Minister of Iran Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown in a coup d'état orchestrated by the United States (CIA) and the United Kingdom (MI6). A key motive was to protect British oil interests in Iran after Mosaddegh nationalized and refused to concede to western oil demands.
Encyclopedia Britannica
britannica.com › world history › wars, battles & armed conflicts
1953 coup in Iran | Coup D’etat, Description & Facts | Britannica
February 12, 2024 - The United States took the leading role in a covert operation, called Operation Ajax, whereby CIA-funded agents were used to foment unrest inside Iran by way of the harassment of religious and political leaders and a media disinformation campaign. These efforts, formally approved by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. came to a head in August 1953 when Mosaddegh and his government were overthrown and Mohammad Reza, a pro-Western monarch, was returned to power.
Videos
04:11
The August 1953 Coup In Iran | Reflections - YouTube
08:36
1953 All Over Again? Is the West Making the Same Mistake in Iran?
The Secret C.I.A. Operation That Haunts U.S.-Iran Relations - Retro ...
19:01
How the US Turned Iran Into a Dictatorship: The 1953 Coup ...
13:59
The Secret CIA Operation That Haunts U.S.-Iran Relations | Retro ...
03:07
1953 coup d'état in Iran: How CIA stage-managed the fall of ...
Zinn Education Project
zinnedproject.org › news › tdih › iran-coup
Aug. 19, 1953: U.S. and Britain Topple Democratically Elected Government of Iran - Zinn Education Project
2 weeks ago - American Journey says the CIA “backed” a coup in Iran; in reality that “backing” involved Kermit Roosevelt, CIA agent and grandson of Theodore, arriving in Tehran with suitcases full of cash to manufacture an opposition movement by hiring people to protest, bribing newspaper editors to print misinformation (real fake news), and creating a sham communist party to act as a straw man.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askhistorians › what role did the u.s. and u.k. play in the 1953 iranian coup, and how do historians view its connection to the 1979 islamic revolution?
r/AskHistorians on Reddit: What role did the U.S. and U.K. play in the 1953 Iranian coup, and how do historians view its connection to the 1979 Islamic Revolution?
June 21, 2025 -
With discussions surrounding the potential return of Iran's Crown Prince, I've been reflecting on the deeper historical events that have shaped Iran's modern trajectory.
I understand that the United States and the United Kingdom played direct roles in the 1953 coup that removed Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh from power and restored Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as Shah. Backed strongly by the West, the Shah's regime ruled for decades and was known for its political repression, including the actions of SAVAK, his secret police.
In 1979, when the Shah was allowed into the U.S. for medical treatment, that decision appeared to be a major flashpoint that fueled revolutionary anger, ultimately contributing to the Islamic Revolution and the U.S. embassy hostage crisis.
I'm also aware that Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served as National Security Advisor under President Carter, underestimated the depth of revolutionary sentiment within Iran. His misjudgment represents a key failure in U.S. foreign policy at the time.
My questions:
What specific roles did the U.S. and U.K. play in the 1953 coup against Mossadegh?
How did the Shah's return to power reshape Iranian society and politics in the following decades?
How do historians assess the U.S. decision to admit the Shah in 1979 in terms of its impact on the Islamic Revolution?
How is Brzezinski's strategy and misreading of the situation evaluated in contemporary scholarship on U.S. foreign policy?
I appreciate any insights or recommended sources you may have. Thank you!
Top answer 1 of 2
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For number 2 I can say it was a paradox - the Shah became a lot more powerful and a lot more disliked due to the power, because Mossadegh was democratically voted but the Shah was not. The white revolution came afterwards which affected the country greatly. A very important aspect of the islamic revolution is that a lot of Iranian students had study programs in France and the French revolution left a lasting impression on them. For number 1, can you clarify exactly what you would like to know?
PBS
pbs.org › newshour › world › in-first-cia-acknowledges-1953-coup-it-backed-to-overthrow-leader-of-iran-was-undemocratic
In first, CIA acknowledges 1953 coup it backed to overthrow leader of Iran was undemocratic | PBS News
October 12, 2023 - DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — While revealing new details about one of the most famed CIA operations of all times — the spiriting out of six American diplomats who escaped the 1979 U.S. Embassy seizure in Iran — the intelligence agency for the first time has acknowledged something else as well. The CIA now officially describes the 1953 coup it backed in Iran that overthrew its prime minister and cemented the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as undemocratic.
Declassified UK
declassifieduk.org › home › sample page › iran 1953: mi6 plots with islamists to overthrow democracy
Iran 1953: MI6 plots with Islamists to overthrow democracy
August 1, 2023 - British officials wanted “a non-communist coup d’etat” in Iran to install a “dictator” who would promote UK oil interests · UK and US governments backed Islamist forces to stir up unrest and even considered installing Ayatollah Kashani as a client leader following a coup · In many accounts the CIA is regarded as the prime mover behind the 1953 coup in Iran, yet Britain was in fact the initial instigator and provided considerable resources to the plot, which UK planners named ‘Operation Boot’.
Texas National Security Review
tnsr.org › home › the collapse narrative: the united states, mohammed mossadegh, and the coup decision of 1953
The Collapse Narrative: The United States, Mohammed Mossadegh, and the Coup Decision of 1953 - Texas National Security Review
April 16, 2025 - Mark J. Gasiorowski argues that U.S. actions in Iran were largely motivated “by fears of a communist takeover.” Viewed within the broader context, the decision to remove Mossadegh emerges “as one more step in the global effort of the ...
HISTORY
history.com › home › this day in history › august-19 › cia-assisted coup overthrows government of iran | august 19, 1953 | history
CIA-assisted coup overthrows government of Iran | August 19, 1953 | HISTORY
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.
Published May 28, 2025
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askhistorians › why was iranian 1953 coup was so vital to american interests when other gulf arab countries also nationalised their oil supplies?
r/AskHistorians on Reddit: Why was Iranian 1953 coup was so vital to American interests when other Gulf Arab countries also nationalised their oil supplies?
August 6, 2023 -
As far as I understand, most Gulf Arab countries have nationalised oil companies like Aramco etc. So why was it such a big deal that the Iranians would do the same. I understand there was also concern of Soviet access to the Gulf, but the real trigger was the nationalisation policies.
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hh the 1953 coup. Something so important in Iranian history yet generally poorly retold and remembered. For a number of reasons... Chiefly propapanda. The basic illustration of the event goes something like this: Iran Nationalized the Oil Industry -> The CIA coups its government. That also seems to be the assumption in question as you underline by stating: "The real trigger was the nationalisation policies" were they? The Nationalization starts in 1951, the coup does not happen untill two years later so something must have been going on. So Is there something in between? That should be a very important question and perhaps the answer to why Mossadegh government was the victim of a coup d'etat while other countries with partially-nationalized oil industries did not. So it might goes something like this: Iran Nationalized the Oil Industry -> Something -> The CIA coups its government. What is this something? You hint at concerns about Soviet access to the Gulf and you are on the right path but there is more. We are going to add bits as we go on. Plus once we have a clear idea we can reason more on depth on other issues that are still debated. First and foremost it must be remembered that Iran was a rather young democracy and a complicated state to rule. As protagonists in this story you have its formal parliment, tha Majlis, the Shah, the Government, local Power Groups, a left-leaning party called Tudeh and of course Religious Hard-Liners. To govern Iran one had to keep theese elements in balance. In 1951 they seemed to agree on something: The British gained too much from oil and gave nearly nothing bacK so nationalisation was something worth to pursue. Of this idea was the Shah as well. Yes thats right, that same Shah that would later rule Iran after the Coup (well not immediately after, but we would be adding useless details). So we can already see that the initial equation does not completely adds up. With nationalisation came to the scene the other big foreign actor that seems completely forgotten some time in this story or relegated to a second line relevance: Great Britan. It was britain who had the stakes into what was then the Anglo Iranian Oil Company (AIOC from now on for short). Nationalisation was seen by the british as an outright steal of their own property and breach of accords. The Refinery, the wells, the infrastructure was all British funded and they had the rights on it for decades. Of course they were pissed and didn't care much for the fact that even within the AIOC the Iranians always played a second part and that the AIOC never gave back to Iran nearly as much as it should have. So what do they do? A blockade. Iranian oil cant be sold abroad (Just an Italian oiler breaches this and gets a measily 300 barrels). This is referred to as the "Abadan Crisis" from the name of the largest Iranian Refinery. This blockade has a serious impact on the internal situation of Iran because it shut down oil revenue completely. So we can add a step. Now we have: Nationalized Oil Industry -> British Blockade -> Something -> Coup. Now at the beginning of this Mohammed Mossadegh, popular politican and leader of the National Front, a party that managed to be rather inclusive when it came to Iranian internal politics and wide support. Mossadegh also had the support of the Shah (and by extension the military) so he was in a good position. Sadly for him the situation was degenerating quickly and he started to question wether or not his support in the country side and the lower classes was still as strong. He tried to pass some electoral reforms but were vetoed yet still got elected in a more "debated" election in 1952. In any case his popularity was lowering. He also fought the shah regarding the appointment of ministry of war, an encounter from wich Mossadegh emerged victorious after a step down from prime minister and a successive reinstatment due to the impopularity of the replacement Ahmad Qavam. Qavam was experienced and had enough initial support but his approach to the key issue at the time lost him all. What was the issue? Oil Nationalization. His stance? Seeking an agreement. The British didn't want necessarily a stop to nationalization but rather being able to have a minority share in the nationalized iranian company but this was something it seemed most were against. So Mossadegh was Reinstated but he started to the country via Special Powers to implement a reform plan to modernize the country. This was 1952. As Mossadegh started his period of "Near-Dictatorial" rule (because that's what emergency powers are, no sugarcoating it) his grasp on power dimished as his enemies increased. Among his allies slowly turning enemy (or being enemy at times, ally on other) was the Tudeh party, basically the communist party of Iran. Another step now: Nationalized Oil Industry -> British Blockade -> Iran Government (mossadegh) starting to fracture -> Something -> Coup. The next step is complex. its a mixture of americans and internal issues. We can now add in the americans. Initially the americans were quite removed from the whole affair. Of course they could see the British position and were surely very inclined to listen to them but they also started to resent the colonialist policies of both Britain and France. (In less than 5 years the Suez Crisis will happen where the americans will not support british and france). The matter was rather distant and, to some surprising when i say this, they did not mind Mossadegh. The man was capable of keeping the extremists of Iran (Both on the Political and Religious spectrums) in check. Was trying to reform the country in a democratic way and while left leaning on some issues surely was not a socialist. Ironically it was probably during Mossadegh visit to the United States in late 1951 that the US decided to abbandon him. Why? They saw the opportunity to mediate a solution. This had failed. More issues came with his degraded ability to rule the country. Even as of late 1952 the British attempts to persuade the americans to topple Mossadegh's government were failing. But as the situation grew worse Mossadegh was forced to rely on Tudeh for support both on the political and "street" side of things. Even worse Tudeh relied on his image to marginalize opponents and did "political attacks" in Mossadegh's name while lacking endorsment. The British themselves tried as much as possible to portray this as a soviet plot in order to drag in the americans. Yet another bit: Nationalized Oil Industry -> British Blockade -> Iran Government (mossadegh) starting to fracture -> Mossadegh power structure worries the americans -> last step -> Coup.
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Speed-program
speed-program.com › home › iranwars11
The US Overthrow Of Iran: A Pivotal 1953 Coup Unveiled
June 22, 2025 - The declassification of documents decades later provided more details of how the CIA executed the overthrow of Iran's democratically elected prime minister 60 years ago, describing the political frustrations that led the U.S. to take covert action against a perceived Soviet ally. This echoes the current frustrations that sometimes drive foreign policy decisions, highlighting the historical patterns of intervention. In 1953, the US helped stage a coup to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.
AP News
apnews.com › article › iran-1953-coup-us-tensions-3d391c0255308a7c13d32d3c88e5f54f
A CIA-backed 1953 coup in Iran haunts the country with people still trying to make sense of it | AP News
August 25, 2023 - For Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah ... from the U.S., whether that be from economic sanctions or the nationwide protests that have gripped Iran after the death last year of Mahsa Amini....
The University of Manchester
manchester.ac.uk › about › news › 70-years-ago-an-anglo-us-coup
70 years ago, an Anglo-US coup condemned Iran to decades of oppression – but now the people are fighting back
September 6, 2023 - The 1953 coup d'etat in Iran ushered in a period of exploitation and oppression that has continued – despite a subsequent revolution that led to huge changes – for 70 years. Each year on August 19, the anniversary of the coup, millions of Iranians ask themselves what would have happened if the US and UK had not conspired all those years ago to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected leader.
Cambridge Core
cambridge.org › core › journals › international-journal-of-middle-east-studies › article › abs › 1953-coup-detat-in-iran › A8025F967F0F09DE7F42939B47C6D7A4
The 1953 Coup D'Etat in Iran | International Journal of Middle East Studies | Cambridge Core
January 29, 2009 - The regime replacing it was a dictatorship that suppressed all forms of popular political activity, producing tensions that contributed greatly to the 1978–1979 Iranian revolution. If Mosaddeq had not been overthrown, the revolution might not have occurred. The 1953 coup also marked the first peacetime use of covert action by the United States to overthrow a foreign government.
EMET
emetonline.org › home › don’t fall for iran’s propaganda on 1953 removal of mossadegh
Don't Fall for Iran's Propaganda on 1953 Removal of Mossadegh - EMET | Endowment for Middle East Truth
September 4, 2018 - It has become conventional wisdom that in 1953, the United States’ CIA led a coup to overthrow the then-Prime Minister of Iran, Mossadegh, for nationalizing the Iranian oil industry, and that many of the U.S.’s problems with the current ...
Al Jazeera
aljazeera.com › news › politics
UK’s lead role in 1953 Iran coup d’etat exposed | Politics News | Al Jazeera
August 18, 2020 - The classical plan,” Darbyshire said. Mossadegh had nationalised the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and MI6 believed Soviet-backed communists would eventually take over the government, according to Darbyshire.
JSTOR
jstor.org › stable › j.ctt1j5d815
Mohammad Mosaddeq and the 1953 Coup in Iran on JSTOR
The Road to Intervention: Factors Influencing U.S. Policy Toward Iran, 1945–1953
Harper's
harpers.org › home › articles › july 2013
The Tragedy of 1953, by Christopher de Bellaigue
July 1, 2013 - The Coup: 1953, the CIA, and the Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations, by Ervand Abrahamian. The New Press. 304 pages. $26.95. Slowly, by degrees, the full story of another foreign intervention that went wrong — so sweet the conception, so bitter the aftertaste — is coming out. For decades following the dramatic overthrow in August 1953 of Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s revered prime minister, Americans and Britons were led to believe that his toppling was the result not of CIA or MI6 operations but of a popular uprising in favor of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
digitalcommons.unl.edu › cgi › viewcontent.cgi pdf
The Overthrow of Mohammad Mosaddegh: U.S. Motivations ...
The Middle East was a strategically ... Middle East. Mosaddegh, specifically, impeded British interests and became a threat to the United States · through the Cold War, which led to the 1953 coup d'etat orchestrated by the CIA....
Amazon
amazon.com › Coup-Roots-Modern-U-S-Iranian-Relations › dp › 1595588264
The Coup: 1953, The CIA, and The Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations: Abrahamian, Ervand: 9781595588265: Amazon.com: Books
―Edward Mortimer, author of Faith and Power: The Politics of Islam, on Ervand Abrahamian's A History of Modern Iran "A relevant, readable study of the foreign-engineered 1953 Iranian coup reminds us of the cause that won't go away: oil." ―Kirkus "In this thorough, well-researched work, Abrahamian (Iranian & Middle Eastern history & politics, CUNY) breaks down the generally accepted understanding of the details behind the 1953 CIA-run coup that ousted Iran's prime minister, Muhammad Mossadeq, and supported the shah.