The Role of the UK and US in the 1953 Coup in Iran: A Story of Oil and Power
In August 1953, a coup funded by the United States and the United Kingdom removed Mohammad Mossadegh from power in Iran, reinstating Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi as the country’s king. The coup, known as Operation Ajax, aimed to regain control over Iran’s vast oil reserves, which were of strategic interest to both countries.
Mossadegh’s popularity stemmed from his efforts to nationalize Iran’s oil industry, challenging the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company’s exploitation of the country’s resources. The UK, unable to resolve the issue independently, sought help from the US to oust Mossadegh.
Following Mossadegh’s removal from power, Iran’s democratic process was shattered, leading to decades of oppression under the Shah’s dictatorship. The 1953 coup not only altered Iran’s destiny but also set the stage for imperialist interventions and destabilization of democratically elected governments worldwide.
Decades later, in 2009, the US publicly acknowledged its involvement in the coup, highlighting the role of hegemonic powers in seizing control of strategic resources in oppressed nations.
The 1953 coup in Iran serves as a cautionary tale of power, oil, and political manipulation, with far-reaching consequences that continue to impact global geopolitics today.