The Nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and International Tensions
The nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) in 1951 was a defining moment in Mossadegh's premiership. The AIOC, which would evolve into British Petroleum (BP), had exclusive rights to Iranian oil based on a concession granted in 1933. Mossadegh's decision to nationalize the oil industry was a bold move to assert Iran's sovereignty and redirect the oil wealth for the benefit of the Iranian people. This act garnered immense domestic support but provoked a severe response from the British government, which saw it as a direct challenge to its economic interests.Factors Leading to the Overthrow of Mossadegh
The coup against Mossadegh was the culmination of various factors. The geopolitical climate of the early Cold War was characterized by the fear of communism's spread, especially in strategically significant regions like the Middle East. Although Mossadegh was not a communist and maintained a neutral stance towards the Soviet Union, his nationalistic policies and oil nationalization were perceived as potential threats by the US and UK. The British, having lost their lucrative control over Iranian oil, persuaded the US administration under President Dwight D. Eisenhower that Mossadegh's government could align with Soviet interests. Domestically, Mossadegh's reforms, such as land redistribution and the postponement of elections, alienated some of his political base, creating an environment ripe for his ousting.Operation Ajax and the Execution of the Coup
The covert operation to remove Mossadegh, known as Operation Ajax, was a joint endeavor by the CIA and MI6. The plan involved a comprehensive propaganda campaign to undermine Mossadegh's popularity, the mobilization of opposition groups, and securing the Shah's cooperation to dismiss the Prime Minister. In August 1953, the Shah issued a royal decree to remove Mossadegh from office, and with the support of orchestrated protests and military action, Mossadegh was arrested. The Shah, who had briefly sought refuge in Italy, returned to Iran, and a government more amenable to Western interests was established.The Aftermath and Historical Impact of the 1953 Coup
Following the coup, Mossadegh was tried, convicted, and placed under house arrest until his death in 1967. The US provided substantial aid to the Shah's regime, which grew increasingly despotic over time. The Iranian oil industry was placed under the control of an international consortium, with British and American companies holding significant shares. The coup left a deep scar on the Iranian national psyche, contributing to the rise of anti-Western sentiment and setting the stage for the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The US's involvement in the coup became emblematic of its Cold War strategy of using covert operations to influence foreign governments, a tactic that would be replicated in other nations.