Operation Ajax: A Historical Overview

The CIA worked with the Pahlavi dynasty to overthrow Iran’s elected government. They aimed to remove Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and strengthen Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi’s power¹. This move was a key event in the Cold War, as the U.S. wanted to keep control over Iran’s oil². It was the CIA’s first attempt to topple a democratically elected government¹. The success of Operation Ajax led the CIA to plan similar actions in other countries, like Guatemala¹.

Kermit Roosevelt, Jr., a senior CIA agent and Theodore Roosevelt’s grandson, led the operation¹. The U.S. saw Iran’s border with the Soviet Union as critical during the Cold War¹. With annual oil revenues of $500 million in the early 1950s, equivalent to $4.5 billion today³, the CIA was given a million dollars to help bring down Mossadegh³.

Key Takeaways

• The CIA conducted Operation Ajax to overthrow the elected government of Iran and Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh.
• The operation was led by Kermit Roosevelt, Jr., a senior CIA agent and grandson of the former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt¹.
• The U.S. saw Iran’s border with the Soviet Union as strategically significant during the Cold War era¹.
• Annual oil revenues in the early 1950s were around $500 million, equivalent to $4.5 billion today³.
• The CIA had green-lit an initial million dollars to “be used by the Tehran Station in any way that would bring about the fall of Mossadegh”³.
• The operation marked the first time the CIA had orchestrated a plot to overthrow a democratically elected government¹.

Background of Operation Ajax

The Cold War era was filled with tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Iran’s location, bordering the USSR, made it critical for both countries. This led to a focus on Iran by American and British interests.

The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company was key to Iran’s economy. When Prime Minister Mossadegh pushed for nationalization, it threatened the company’s and British Petroleum‘s power in the area.

Context of the Cold War Era

The U.S. was worried about Soviet expansion. They wanted to have allies in the Middle East. Creating a pro-American government in Iran was seen as a way to fight Soviet influence⁴.

Key Players Involved

The CIA and British intelligence worked together on the operation. Iranian politicians, like the Tudeh Party, played a big role in the events⁵.

The Role of Iran’s Nationalization of Oil

Mossadegh’s move to nationalize oil without paying the company raised tensions. This move upset Iran’s relations with Western powers⁶.

Execution of Operation Ajax

Kermit Roosevelt Jr., a senior CIA agent and grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, led the planning of the coup d’état against Iran’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. He worked closely with British intelligence and pro-Shah Iranian factions to take down Mossadegh’s government⁶.

Planning and Coordination by the CIA

The CIA set up a guerrilla force. They made alliances with Qashqai tribal leaders in southern Iran. This was key in setting up the operation⁶.

Tactics Utilized During the Operation

Propaganda was a big part of the plan. The CIA created “rented” crowds to show wide support. They staged street protests to hide the real goal of the operation⁷.

Outcomes and Immediate Effects

The coup d’état happened on August 19, 1953. It brought back the monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Mossadegh was arrested, showing the CIA’s strong influence in Iranian politics⁸.

Long-term Implications of Operation Ajax

Operation Ajax has had a lasting impact on U.S.-Iran relations and the Middle East.

Impact on U.S.-Iran Relations

The fall of Prime Minister Mossadegh created deep distrust between the U.S. and Iran. This distrust grew and led to the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The U.S. embassy takeover was a result of this shift⁹.

Influence on Middle Eastern Politics

Operation Ajax showed the dangers of foreign intervention in the Middle East. It made the region less stable. The Shah’s return led to authoritarian rule, sparking anti-Western sentiment in Iran and beyond. This hurt efforts for Middle East stability¹⁰.

Legacy of Operation Ajax in Modern Context

Today, Operation Ajax’s legacy is clear. Newly released CIA declassified documents have sparked debates on foreign policy and sovereignty. The mistrust from then continues to shape current alliances and strategies in the region.

Source Links

1. Operation Ajax (1953) – https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/operationajax.html
2. Aug. 19, 1953: Operation Ajax – Priya Satia | Department of History – https://history.stanford.edu/news/aug-19-1953-operation-ajax-priya-satia
3. Operation Ajax | Bridey Heing – https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/operation-ajax
4. History Research Paper Sample: Operation Ajax and The United States: Incentives, Actors, and Anti-Communist Foreign Policy – https://www.commschool.org/news/news-post/~board/inside-commonwealth/post/history-research-paper-sample-operation-ajax-and-the-united-states-incentives-actors-and-anti-communist-foreign-policy
5. PDF – https://saberandscroll.scholasticahq.com/api/v1/articles/28521-operation-ajax-roots-of-a-tree-grown-in-distrust.pdf
6. 1953 Iranian coup d’état – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d’état
7. 64 Years Later, CIA Finally Releases Details of Iranian Coup – https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/20/64-years-later-cia-finally-releases-details-of-iranian-coup-iran-tehran-oil/
8. Operation Ajax – (US History – 1945 to Present) – Vocab, Definition, Explanations | Fiveable – https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/united-states-history-since-1945/operation-ajax
9. Operation Ajax Was Always An Open Secret | A Timeline – https://www.mohammadmossadegh.com/1953/operation-ajax/an-open-secret/
10. The Coup Against Iran’s Mohammad Mossadegh – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training – https://adst.org/2015/07/the-coup-against-irans-mohammad-mossadegh/