Iranian Coup of 1953

By alexdelvargas

  • Prime Minister

    Dr. Mosaddeq was nominated for Prime Minister, which he won by 90% of the representatives present.

  • Resigned & Reinstated

    Resigned & Reinstated
    When the Shah refused his demand for control of the armed forces in 1952, Dr. Mossadeq resigned, only to be reinstated in the face of popular riots.

  • Plot for Coup is initiated

    Plot for Coup is initiated
    The plot for the Iranian coup is initiated.

  • Unexpected Development

    In March, an unexpected development pushed the plot forward; CIA's Tehran station reported an Iranian general approached American Embassy about supporting an army-led coup.

  • Approved

    Allen W. Dulles, the director of central intelligence, approved $1 million on April 4th to be used in "any way that would bring about the fall of Mosaddeq."

  • Cyprus

    Dr. Wilber was sent by the agency to Cyprus to meet Norman Darbyshire, chief of the Iran branch of British intelligence to make initial coup plans.

  • Eisenhower Signed off Plan

    Eisenhower Signed off Plan
    President Eisenhower finally signed off on the plan for the coup shortly after taking office.

  • Palace Member Helps

    Palace Member Helps
    Princess Ashraf, sister to the Shah of Iran, gained access to the palace from a palace member, who was actually a British agent.

  • Situation

    Situation
    The Shah requested time to asses the situation.

  • Shah's Meeting

    Shah had a meeting with general Schwarzkoff.

  • Session

    Roosevelt had a long and inconclusive session with the Shah.

  • Referendum

    The referendum was clearly rigged in the Shah's favor.

  • Shah & Zahedi

    Shah & Zahedi
    Shah had agreed to go see General Zahedi.

  • Signed Decrees

    Shah signed decrees that would support an army led coup.

  • Coup Begins

    Coup Begins
    The coup began on that night and was immediately compromised.

  • Fatal Blow

    There was a fatal blow when it was learned that the Shah bolted to Baghdad.

  • Signed Decrees

    The Shah announced from Baghdad that he signed the decrees.

  • Rome & CIA

    Shah and Queen Soraya arrived in Rome. That same night, the CIA arranged for general Zahedi and other key Iranian agents and army officers to be smuggled into embassy compound.

  • Start Attack

    It is agreed to start the counter attack.
  • Period: to

    British Operation

    In November and December, British intelligence officials startled American counterparts with a plan for a joint operation to oust the prime minister.