The British Role in Iranian Domestic Politics (1951-1953) (SpringerBriefs in Environment, Security, Development and Peace, 5)

How and why was Iran's democratically elected government overthrown in 1953? Most studies refer to a 'CIA-led' operation. Based on British and Iranian sources, Dr. Ebrahimi, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, examines how British foreign and domestic agents interfered in Iran's international affairs between Iran's nationalisation of oil in 1951 and the overthrow of Prime Minister Mosaddeq in 1953. This study analyses how British agents used the Shah, the ancient Persian Durbar, Majlis deputies, Islamic clergy and Iranian army officers in the overthrow of the first democratically elected Prime Minister. The book highlights how Britain used the 'Communist threat' as a pretext to protect its oil interests and persuaded the Americans to execute the coup. This close interaction between British colonial interests, American Cold War goals and Iranian politics defeated the democratic aspirations of Iran's people.;1. British interest in Iran's oil: prelude to conflict -- 2. British retaliation after the nationalisation of Iran's oil -- 3. British interference in Iranian international politics -- 4. Diverse strategies solidify amid anti-Mosaddeq sentiment -- 5. Decisive crackdown and concluding remarks. Based on British and Iranian sources, this book investigates the background and goals of the coup in Iran, examining how British foreign and domestic agents interfered with Iran’s internal affairs between the nationalization of Iran’s oil in 1951 until its failure in 1953 with the overthrow of Prime Minister Mossadegh. How and why was Iran’s democratically elected government ousted in 1953? Most studies refer to a ‘CIA-led’ operation. This study analyses how British agents used the Shah, the ancient Persian Durbar, Majlis deputies, Islamic clergy, and Iranian military officers in the overthrow of the first democratically elected Prime Minister, and highlights how Britain used the ‘Communist menace’ as a pretext for protecting its oil interests and persuaded the Americans to orchestrate the coup. This close interaction between British colonial interests, American Cold War goals and Iranian politics ultimately defeated the democratic aspirations of Iran’s people. Front Matter....Pages i-xi British Interest in Iran’s Oil: Prelude to Conflict....Pages 1-14 British Retaliation After the Nationalisation of Iran’s Oil....Pages 15-34 British Interference in Iranian Internal Politics....Pages 35-59 Diverse Strategies Solidify Amid Anti-Mosaddeq Sentiment....Pages 61-85 Decisive Crackdown and Concluding Remarks....Pages 87-100 Back Matter....Pages 101-109