The August 19, 1953 Coup Against the National Government of Dr. Mossadegh and Its Role in the Destiny of Iranians
By Reza Hoseani 1. Introduction: A Coup Not as an Incident, but as the Beginning of a Pattern The coup of August 19, 1953 (28 Mordad 1332) should not be summarized merely as a military event on a specific day in Iran’s contemporary history. What happened in August 1953 was in fact a breaking point in Iran’s democratization process and the beginning of a recurring pattern. A government that had come to power by the vote of the people with the aim of nationalizing the oil industry and cutting off the hands of foreigners and internal despotism was overthrown by an organized conspiracy. This overthrow was not just the fall of a prime minister, but the fall of a model of national and popular government that could have completely changed Iran’s destiny. Therefore, examining 28 Mordad is examining the roots of subsequent dictatorships in Iran. 2. Why Did Mossadegh’s National Government Have to Be Overthrown? The government of Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh was considered a dual threat. On the o...