CIA Confirms Role in 1953 Iran Coup

Documents Provide New Details on Mosaddeq Overthrow and Its Aftermath

National Security Archive Calls for Release of Remaining Classified Record

National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 435

Posted – August 19, 2013

Edited by Malcolm Byrne

For more information contact: Malcolm Byrne 202/994-7043 or mbyrne@gwu.edu

Washington, D.C., August 19, 2013 – Marking the sixtieth anniversary of the overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, the National Security Archive is today posting recently declassified CIA documents on the United States' role in the controversial operation. American and British involvement in Mosaddeq's ouster has long been public knowledge, but today's posting includes what is believed to be the CIA's first formal acknowledgement that the agency helped to plan and execute the coup.

The explicit reference to the CIA's role appears in a copy of an internal history, The Battle for Iran, dating from the mid-1970s. The agency released a heavily excised version of the account in 1981 in response to an ACLU lawsuit, but it blacked out all references to TPAJAX, the code name for the U.S.-led operation. Those references appear in the latest release. Additional CIA materials posted today include working files from Kermit Roosevelt, the senior CIA officer on the ground in Iran during the coup. They provide new specifics as well as insights into the intelligence agency's actions before and after the operation.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ragnarok on August 20, 2013 at 6:55am

I think it's easier to mention the coups and 'terror' incidents were CIA (criminals in action) was'nt involved.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by opt˟ on August 20, 2013 at 7:04am

Where have I heard this before? Oh yeah, those conspiracy nuts. They've been clamoring on about this and other stuff for years. Those nuts, they said 9-11 was an inside job too.

Internet - most trusted source of news.

BTW, the people who have been getting it right for so many years say "stop foreign interventionist policies". *cough* Egypt. *cough* Israel.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by opt˟ on August 20, 2013 at 7:31am

The stuff going on in Egypt is very similar to what happened in Iran. Same players, same game.

I actually don't have a problem if CIA goes around trying to start revolutions. If people want a revolution, CIA can actually help them. If people don't want a revolution, CIA will fail. This is just one of the many things CIA does.

What I do have a problem with is military spending. Cut off the US military aid for the entire planet. Its fucking up our economy.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ragnarok on August 20, 2013 at 8:07am

Hmmmm..... Ever sinse reading several CIA manuals.... If people want revolution do you think they want.?

1) Strategic killings of key-figures in their communities to spin the situations to their advantage.?

2) Torture, secret prisons and courts acting without any constitutuion.?

3) Terror....poisoning of water, blowing up powerplants, cutting off aid, bombs at market places just to name a few ways used.

4) How can any nation who does'nt have the same culture or haritage decide whats best for a nation they dont have any common denominator with.?

It's ok for a few countries to have sovereighnty and other to be schooled and policed as long we us caucasoids dominate and harvest the consumer benefits.?

CIA is more or less a rogue-organ used for terrible things just to generate more money and control.

This is only to mention a few aspects of it...........some really sad sh*t.

Just asking? :-)