One of most common of these activities used by the United States is coups. One perfect example is the coup that was used to overthrow the Iranian government in 1953. Here the United States worked in strategic collaboration with the United Kingdom’s government to overthrow the government of Iran that was led by Mohammad Mossadegh. The involvement of the United States in this coup was through the CIA.
The United States held the belief that the Prime Minister of Iran at the time, Mohammad Mossadegh had communist leanings and was consequently bad news to the west (History.com). The development of this opinion by the United States and the UK had been prompted by attacks on British oil companies operating in the Middle East nation by Mossadegh. The Iranian premier had been calling for the expropriation and nationalization of oil fields in the nation (History.com) The United States feared the nation would become an ally of the Soviet Union, therefore, pushing the communism agenda.
The United States funded a coup operation known as “Operation Ajax.' The coup was preceded by the distribution of propaganda to create an adequate environment for a coup. It financed and supported riots and protests calling for the dismissal of the government .The US government was particularly working with pro-Shah protesters and forces as well as the Iranian military. Through the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States strategically threatened, cajoled and even bribed its way to direct, influence as well as organize a successful coup attempt against the sitting government. The coup was successful, and Mossadegh was bolted from power.
Though America initially denied any involvement in the Iranian coup, the CIA finally admitted in the year 2003 that not only was it involved in the planning of the coup, but it was also involved in its execution especially through bribing concerned individuals like military officers and politicians.
Works Cited
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Lowenthal, Mark M. Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy. 6th ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2014. Print.
