Archive · 24 Jun 2025
Operation Ajax: The CIA-Led Coup in Iran
In 1951, Iran took control of its oil, which upset the UK.
The UK then stopped buying Iran's oil, hurting the country's economy.
The US, under a new President, got involved.
The CIA then helped remove Iran's leader, Mosaddegh, because they feared he might be replaced by people who supported the Soviet Union.
This event changed how Iranians viewed the US.
In 1951, Iran nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC).
The UK imposed an international embargo on Iranian oil in response.
The US, under President Eisenhower, took a different view than the previous administration.
The CIA, led by Kermit Roosevelt Jr., launched Operation Ajax, a coup against Mosaddegh.
The coup aimed to remove Prime Minister Mosaddegh, who had nationalized oil.
- Who
- Mohammad Mosaddegh, Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the CIA, and the UK.
- What
- The 1953 coup, Operation Ajax, orchestrated by the CIA to overthrow Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.
- When
- 1951-1953
- Where
- Iran
- Why
- To remove Mosaddegh after he nationalized oil, and to prevent potential Soviet influence in Iran.
Differing Perspectives
Differing Perspectives
Mosaddegh
Differing Perspectives
Mosaddegh was a threat because he was a nationalist.
Differing Perspectives
Mosaddegh was a democratically elected Prime Minister who nationalized oil to benefit his people.
Coup justifiability
Differing Perspectives
The coup was necessary to prevent the spread of Soviet influence.
Differing Perspectives
The coup was an act of intervention that violated Iran's sovereignty.
- Key Event
- Operation Ajax
- Year
- 1953
- Main Figures
- Mosaddegh, Eisenhower, Churchill
- Trigger
- Iranian Oil Nationalization
- Involved Parties
- US, UK, Iran
