Behind the 1953 Coup in Iran

Ali Rahnema is Professor of Economics and director of the master's program in Middle East and Islamic studies at the American University of Paris. His publications include Superstition as Ideology in Iranian Politics (Cambridge, 2011) and An Islamic Utopian: A Political Biography of Ali Shariati, 2nd edition (2014).

This book reconstructs the events surrounding the Iranian coup d'état in 1953 that led to the overthrow of Mohammed Mosaddeq and his government.

Introduction: Mosaddeq's overthrow according to the shah; 1. The British reaction to Mosaddeq in power: 'Mossie Grabs Britain's Oil - But Navy to the Rescue' (Daily Express); 2. Mosaddeq's opposition strikes: testing tactics; 3. Who beckoned and who executed on 28 February (9 Esfand); 4. TPAJAX: company (CIA) commanders and firm (SIS) functionaries operationalising the coup; 5. The CIA-affiliated organisations: propaganda and combat; 6. The precision coup flops: back to the drawing board; 7. Second coup and capabilities of the military network; 8. A viable homespun coup; 9. The crucial last-minute preparations; 10. The second coup begins with the pincer movement of the thugs; 11. Coup agents occupying the city centre; 12. Attacking ministries and pro-Mosaddeq buildings; 13. The enigma of the tanks: betrayal or incompetence; 14. Mosaddeq overthrown; 15. Religious representatives and the coup; 16. Why did the second coup succeed?; 17. Mosaddeq's exit: legal transfer of power or coup d'état; Conclusion.