aug 15, 1953 - Operation Ajax

Description:

Operation Ajax was the CIA’s effort to unseat the democratically elected Iranian leader known as Mosaddegh, who was opposed to western/British and US control, and replace him with a leader accommodating to the west and the United States in order to keep oil flowing from Iran to the United States. In the 1950s Mosaddegh nationalized oil companies, sparking the joint Anglo-American operation. This is significant since the Iranians revolted in 1979 and overthrew the US-installed king, resulting in the hostage crisis, during which the US broke diplomatic relations with Iran, which remain severed today.

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