The Fifth Column Members Only #267 - Everything's Our Fault: The U.S. and the Iranian Coup (w/ Abbas Milani)
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Jul 10, 2025 The conversation dives into the complex U.S. involvement in Iran, highlighting the 1953 coup that ousted Mohammad Mossadegh. Hosts critique modern media's simplified views of these events, emphasizing the nuanced ties between Mossadegh and the Shah. They also explore how economic motivations influenced U.S. foreign policy, particularly concerning oil interests. The discussion reveals varying historical perspectives on the Iranian coup and its lasting effects on current U.S.-Iran relations.
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US Role in 1953 Iranian Coup
- The U.S. played a significant but often overstated role in the 1953 Iranian coup against Mohamed Mossadegh.
- The common narrative oversimplifies the involvement and ignores crucial domestic Iranian political dynamics.
Root Cause of Iranian Hostility
- Iranian anger toward the U.S. stems largely from America imposing the Shah and its control over Iranian oil.
- This resentment fueled the 1979 revolution, challenging the oversimplified idea that Iranians just hate Western freedoms.
Mossadegh’s Democratic Questionability
- Mossadegh's democratic legitimacy was questionable, highlighted by dubious referendum results dissolving parliament.
- Domestic discontent in Iran existed independently of American or British interference.
