1953 Iranian Coup

The 1953 Iranian coup, known as Operation Ajax, was a covert operation led by the CIA and British intelligence to overthrow Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh. He had nationalized the oil industry, which angered Western powers and British oil interests. The coup aimed to reinstall the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who favored Western control. The operation succeeded, leading to political instability in Iran and long-term resentment against foreign intervention, ultimately contributing to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. This event had significant implications for U.S.-Iran relations and Middle Eastern geopolitics.