In 1951 Mohammad Mosaddegh was democratically elected prime minister in Iran. He had tried to audit the documents of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and limit its control over Iran's petroleum reserves. However, the AIOC refused to cooperate, so instead he nationalized Iran's petroleum industry and its oil reserves, which made him extremely popular in his country but also turned the British against him. The British decided to place an embargo on Iranian oil to undermine him. The embargo was extremely effective and made the Iranians poorer and unhappier, cutting away at Mosaddegh's popularity.
Mohammad Mosaddegh
The Iranian people began to blame him for the economic tensions and political turmoil, leading to street clashes and protests. As he lost support, he became more autocratic in his methods to maintain power, which made him even more unpopular with the people.
The United States was convinced by Britain that Iran was falling to the Communists and eventually decided to take part in the coup. In Operation Ajax, the CIA covertly backed General Fazlollah Zahedi, who was eventually able to overthrow Mosaddegh and become prime minister.The British and American spy agencies returned the monarchy to Iran by making pro-western Mohammad Reza Pahlavi the Shah, or king of Iran. This marked the first time that the US had overthrown a foreign government during the Cold War.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
The Shah became increasingly autocratic after the coup, however, and crushed all forms of political opposition. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini actively criticized the Shah and the United States, so the Shah sent him into exile. Khomeini eventually became the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Shah and installed an Islamic republic. Because the US supported the Shah, it makes sense for Khomeini and the new Islamic republic to harbor anti-US sentiments.
Ruhollah Khomeini
Am I the only one that thinks Mohammad Mosaddegh looks like Voldemort? But all jokes aside, I find that I am torn between the arguments concerning U.S. involvements in the Middle East. I think establishing military bases is good for our protection. But on they other side I think we should become more independent and not run other countries. I also think we should stop getting energy resources, like oil, from the Middle East. We have natural gas so I see no point in getting involved because of oil.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that thinks Mohammad Mosaddegh looks like Voldemort? But all jokes aside, I find that I am torn between the arguments concerning U.S. involvements in the Middle East. I think establishing military bases is good for our protection. But on they other side I think we should become more independent and not run other countries. I also think we should stop getting energy resources, like oil, from the Middle East. We have natural gas so I see no point in getting involved because of oil.
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