Listen Now - REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana
MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Key Insights
Why did the CIA get involved in Iran's internal affairs in the 1950s?
The CIA's involvement was driven by the nationalization of Iranian oil by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, which threatened Western economic interests. The British MI6 proposed a coup to oust Mosaddegh, and the CIA, under President Dwight Eisenhower, agreed to support it.
How did Kermit Roosevelt Jr. initially plan to turn the Iranian public against Prime Minister Mosaddegh?
Roosevelt aimed to control the Iranian press and flood it with anti-Mosaddegh propaganda, using lies and slander to undermine his popularity. He paid off journalists and columnists to print these stories, hoping to sway public opinion.
What was the turning point in Kermit Roosevelt's efforts to convince the Shah of Iran to support the coup?
The turning point came when the Shah hesitated during a conversation with Roosevelt, indicating a potential shift in his stance. Over several nights, Roosevelt continued to persuade the Shah, eventually gaining his agreement to sign the papers dismissing Mosaddegh.
Why did the initial attempt to arrest Prime Minister Mosaddegh fail?
The initial attempt failed because Mosaddegh had been tipped off about the coup and had his loyalists leave their homes to avoid arrest. He also positioned troops to ambush and arrest the conspirators, leading to the failure of the operation.
How did Kermit Roosevelt Jr. manage to turn the failed coup into a successful one?
Roosevelt used a photocopier to mass-produce the Shah's decree dismissing Mosaddegh and distributed it widely. He also bribed street gang leaders to incite riots and protests, creating chaos that ultimately led to Mosaddegh's downfall and the Shah's return to power.
What long-term impact did Operation Ajax have on Iran's relationship with the United States?
Operation Ajax led to deep-seated anti-American sentiment in Iran, contributing to the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979 and the subsequent revolution that installed Ayatollah Khomeini. It also set a precedent for CIA-orchestrated coups, further destabilizing the Middle East.
Chapters
- Operation Ajax led to the arrest and house arrest of Prime Minister Mossadegh.
- Several of Mossadegh's allies were sentenced to death, and he became the last democratically elected leader in Iranian history.
- The coup set the stage for Iran's deep-seated animosity towards the United States, culminating in the 1979 hostage crisis.
- Kermit Roosevelt's legacy is marked by the lasting pain and anti-American sentiment Operation Ajax caused in Iran.
Shownotes Transcript
