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Today is the 67th anniversary of the 1953 Iranian coup.
so here’s a thread on the vital - and often overlooked -
role.
so here’s a thread on the vital - and often overlooked -
role.
Summer 1951: launches subversive campaign to undermine and replace Mossadeq
launches subversive campaign to undermine and replace Mossadeq
Autumn 1951: lots of bribery going on.
Tight ministers hope the oil company would reimburse them!
bribery going on. Tight ministers hope the oil company would reimburse them!
Early 1952: tries to replace Mossadeq with another candidate, Qavam, (inc by bribing politicians to support him).
It failed.
lamented not recognising the power of the “psychoneurotic” mob
tries to replace Mossadeq with another candidate, Qavam, (inc by bribing politicians to support him). It failed.
lamented not recognising the power of the “psychoneurotic” mob
Oct 1952: informally raise coup idea with 
. Dismissed.
Too risky + (rightly)wondered if were playing them.
Dec 1952: more formally raise coup idea with . Dismissed (again)
Too risky... could split Iran and draw in Soviets
informally raise coup idea with . Dismissed. Too risky +
(rightly)wondered if were playing them.Dec 1952:
more formally raise coup idea with . Dismissed (again)Too risky... could split Iran and draw in Soviets
tries to convince - but but but what about the communist threat??
- but what if Venezuela followed suit and nationalised its oil???
- what if Iraq or Saudi Arabia did??
Feb 1953: get cold feet and run down covert action
“an underhand action of uncertain effectiveness and doubtful morality”
(But #MI6 quietly continue to press #CIA)
get cold feet and run down covert action“an underhand action of uncertain effectiveness and doubtful morality”
(But #MI6 quietly continue to press #CIA)
March 1953: ready to discuss possible coup
Oh hello!!
June 1953: plan sent to Whitehall
ready to discuss possible coup Oh hello!!
June 1953: plan sent to Whitehall
#MI6 organised the abduction of the chief of police.
He ended up murdered. It wasn’t part of the plan.
MI6 helped the #CIA pressure the shah’s sister to talk him into supporting the covert action https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/british-spys-account-sheds-light-on-role-in-1953-iranian-coup
He ended up murdered. It wasn’t part of the plan.
MI6 helped the #CIA pressure the shah’s sister to talk him into supporting the covert action https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/british-spys-account-sheds-light-on-role-in-1953-iranian-coup
Aug 1953: still closely involved.
Handed over agents; offered to disable iranian comms; BBC covertly sends message to convince Shah that the plan is on.
still closely involved. Handed over agents; offered to disable iranian comms; BBC covertly sends message to convince Shah that the plan is on.
@foreignoffice loses nerve. Cables #MI6 in Cyprus:
“We must regret that we cannot consider going on fighting”
MI6 arrange for a “failure of communications” and don’t get the message
“We must regret that we cannot consider going on fighting”
MI6 arrange for a “failure of communications” and don’t get the message
#CIA was greatful for help but knew MI6, as the junior partner, “had nothing to lose if the cause had been pressed to ultimate failure and disclosure”
#MI6 revelled in the success, lording it over the cautious @foreignoffice
#MI6 revelled in the success, lording it over the cautious @foreignoffice
