Mossadegh's nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in 1951 sparked an international crisis by cutting off British access to Iranian oil revenues. This act ignited tensions as Britain sought to regain control and protect its economic stake, leading to secret attempts to destabilize Mossadegh's government.

Sources

1953 coup in Iran | Coup D’etat, Description & Facts

britannica.com

CIA-assisted coup overthrows government of Iran | August 19, 1953 | HISTORY

history.com · 2009

Read the full exploration

What else is in this exploration

3 perspectives2 visualizations2 insights8 media resources4 rabbit holes

evidence

The British government solicited U.S. support for the coup fearing Mossadegh's alignment with com...

evidence

The U.S. and Britain feared Mossadegh's government might collapse, threatening Western oil supply...

perspective

Critics argue the coup was an unjustified interference in a democratically elected government dri...

Continue exploring

The Overthrow of Mohammad Mossadegh: Power, Oil, and Cold War Intrigue

Evidence, perspectives, rabbit holes, and more

Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized Iran's oil industry in 1951, threatening British oil interests.

Sources