REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana Operation Ajax: The CIA’s Secret War in Iran
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Nov 12, 2024 In 1953, tensions flare at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran as a CIA operative juggles chaos and personal dilemmas while plotting a coup. A secret meeting in a department store unveils covert strategies to sway public opinion with unexpected funds. Meanwhile, Kermit Roosevelt navigates a web of political intrigue, pushing the Shah to oust Prime Minister Mossadegh. What begins as a well-orchestrated operation spirals into a turbulent battle against unforeseen challenges.
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Kermit Roosevelt in Tehran
- In 1953, CIA operative Kermit Roosevelt Jr., grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, was stationed in Tehran.
- He orchestrated Operation Ajax, a controversial coup to overthrow Iran's Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh.
Roots of Middle East Turmoil
- The Middle East's current turmoil can be traced back to the 1953 coup in Iran, orchestrated by the CIA.
- This coup, led by Kermit Roosevelt, aimed to oust Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and install a pro-Western leader.
Entering Iran
- Kermit Roosevelt entered Iran under the alias James Lockridge to overthrow the government.
- British intelligence (MI6) initially proposed the coup, known as Operation Boot, due to Mossadegh's nationalization of Iranian oil.
