Mohammad Mossadegh

Dr. Mosaddeq gained recognition in the developing world as a symbol of anti-imperialism due to his efforts to nationalize Iran's oil industry and resist foreign interference. His legacy continues to inspire movements against imperialism.

Mohammad Mosaddegh was born in Tehran, Iran in 1880. He later became a prominent political figure serving as the Prime Minister of Iran from 1951 to 1953.

In June 1914, Mohammad Mossadegh became the first Iranian to receive a Doctorate in Law from the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland.

In 1919, Mohammad Mossadegh chose self-exile in Switzerland in protest over an agreement between Iran and Britain, where British advisers were to supervise Iran's army and financial systems.

In 1921, Mohammad Mossadegh resigned as the governor of Fars province in protest of the 1921 British-inspired coup in Tehran, which led to the establishment of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925.

In 1923, Mossadegh was elected to the 5th Majles and began his historic opposition to the establishment of the Pahlavi dynasty by British supported Reza Khan, foreseeing the return to dictatorship in Iran.

On July 26, 1940, Reza Shah's police squad unexpectedly arrived at Mossadegh's residence, searching and ransacking his house. Mossadegh was taken to the central prison in Tehran and later transferred to a prison citadel in Birjand without being informed of any charges against him.

A year after being transferred to Ahmadabad, Mossadegh's house arrest ended when the British forced the abdication of Reza Shah, leading to the ascension of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to the throne. Mossadegh returned to political activities and was elected as Tehran representative to the 14th Majles in 1944.

In 1949, an assassin attempted to kill the Shah of Iran, leading to the Shah becoming more involved in politics and increasing his powers by amending the constitution.

After being elected by the Majlis with a significant majority, Mosaddegh was confirmed as the Prime Minister of Iran by the Shah, amidst rising popularity and political power.

In October 1951, Iranian Prime Minister Mosaddegh declared that the petroleum industry had not benefited the people or technological progress of Iran, amidst escalating tensions with Britain over oil nationalization.

On July 16, 1952, Prime Minister Mosaddegh insisted on his constitutional prerogative to name a Minister of War and Chief of Staff, leading to a clash with the Shah. Mosaddegh resigned, and Ahmad Qavam became the new Prime Minister, aiming to negotiate with the British over the oil dispute.

On July 17, 1952, due to increasing tensions between the Shah and Mossadegh regarding oil issues, Mossadegh steps down from his position as prime minister. Ahmed Ghavam assumes the role, leading to three days of unrest.

On July 18, 1952, Mossadegh is replaced by Ghavam as the prime minister of Iran, marking a significant political shift.

Following Qavam's appointment, protests erupted in Iran, leading to strikes, demonstrations, and casualties. Ayatollah Kashani called for a 'holy war' against Qavam. The Shah, fearing further unrest, asked for Mosaddegh's return as Prime Minister.

After witnessing the strong public support for Mossadegh, the Shah appointed him to the dual role of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, a move permitted by the Constitution. This marked a significant shift in power dynamics in Iran.

In August 1952, Mosaddegh was granted emergency 'dictatorial decree' powers by the Majlis for six months to implement his reform program and bypass stalled negotiations on nationalisation of the oil industry.

On April 4, 1953, the CIA approved $1 million to be used to bring about the fall of Iranian Prime Minister Mossadegh as part of Operation Ajax.

On April 16, 1953, a C.I.A. study titled 'Factors Involved in the Overthrow of Mossadegh' is finalized, indicating the feasibility of a coup in Iran.

C.I.A. and British intelligence officers gather in Nicosia, Cyprus to create strategies for the coup against the Mossadegh government. Simultaneously, the C.I.A.'s Tehran station is authorized to initiate a 'grey propaganda' campaign to undermine Mossadegh's administration.

C.I.A. officers assemble in Beirut to conduct a final assessment of the coup plan before its execution against the Mossadegh government.

The Prime Minister of Britain gives the ultimate authorization for the operational plan of the coup to proceed, marking a crucial step in the efforts to overthrow the Mossadegh government.

On July 11, 1953, President Eisenhower gives final approval to the operational plan for the coup.

Under pressure from the C.I.A., Princess Ashraf, the Shah's sister, flies to Tehran from France on July 25, 1953, in order to convince the Shah to sign the royal decrees that would dismiss Mossadegh.

The C.I.A. intensifies a propaganda effort, including planting stories in major American newspapers, to weaken the Mossadegh government in Iran.

In a meeting with Gen. H. Norman Schwartzkopf, the Shah of Iran refuses to sign the C.I.A.-written royal decrees that aimed to fire Mossadegh and appoint Gen. Zahedi as the new prime minister.

In August 1953, Mohammad Mossadegh, suspecting British and American involvement in a plot against him, organizes a referendum in Iran to dissolve the Iranian parliament.

On August 13, 1953, the Shah of Iran signs a royal decree dismissing Mohammad Mossadegh from his position. The news of the Shah's support for the coup spreads rapidly in Iran.

Operation Ajax was executed on August 15, 1953, leading to the dismissal of Mosaddegh and the appointment of General Zahedi as the new leader. The Shah's powers were restored, and Mosaddegh's supporters protested against the coup.

On August 16, 1953, Shah of Iran formally dismissed Prime Minister Mossadegh and nominated General Fazlollah Zahedi as the new Prime Minister, following the Operation Ajax orchestrated by the CIA.

After an unsuccessful attempt to dismiss Mossadegh, the Shah of Iran flees the country on this day.

The CIA played a significant role in the counter-coup in Iran in 1953, aiming to weaken the Mossadegh government through propaganda and covert political actions. The operation had long-lasting consequences for Iran and the region.

In 1953, a covert military operation known as 'Operation Ajax' orchestrated by British and American intelligence services, along with Iranian elements, led to the removal of Mohammad Mossadegh from office in Iran. He was subsequently court-martialed and sentenced to three years in prison.

In a violent coup, Royalists successfully oust Mossadegh from power, resulting in casualties and the Army taking control.

On December 19, 1953, Mossadegh was tried as a traitor in a military court, where he proclaimed his actions of nationalizing Iran's oil industry as his greatest sin, leading to his conviction of treason.

Mohammad Mossadegh, the former Prime Minister of Iran who was overthrown in a coup in 1953, died on March 5, 1967. He was exiled to house arrest in a remote village owned by his family after the coup, where he passed away. His funeral took place in the dining room of his residence in the village of Ahmadabad.

Mosaddegh was recognized for his significant role in Iranian politics by being named Time's man of the year in 1951, amidst other notable figures of the time.

On the 60th anniversary of the 1953 counter-coup, the US government released declassified documents acknowledging its role in staging the coup in Iran. The release marked the first official acknowledgement of US involvement and provided insights into the motivations and strategies behind the operation.

Senator Bernie Sanders praised Mosaddegh's democratic government and criticized the 1953 CIA-backed coup as a negative example of U.S. foreign policy.

In June 2017, the US State Department's Office of the Historian released a revised historical account of the 1953 coup in Iran, focusing on the evolution of US thinking on Iran and the covert operation that led to Mossadeq's overthrow. The release contained approximately 1,000 pages of records, revealing new details about the CIA's actions during the coup.

The documentary Coup 53 sheds light on the 1953 CIA-backed coup of Mossadegh, revealing new archive material and the extent of MI6 involvement in the coup.