Throughline Iran and the U.S., Part One: Four Days in August
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Jun 24, 2025 
Stephen Kinzer, author of 'All the Shah's Men,' dives into the roots of U.S.-Iran tensions, tracing back to the 1953 coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. He reveals the chaotic details of the CIA's operation, including the manipulation behind the scenes and the ambitious strategies of Kermit Roosevelt. Kinzer discusses how this pivotal moment not only shifted Iranian politics but also sowed the seeds for decades of conflict, showcasing the irony of both sides being funded by the same agency.
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Personal Realization of U.S. Coup
- Ramtin Arablouei recounts how his father always said the U.S. ruined Iran's democracy in 1953.
- He initially dismissed it as conspiracy, but later accepted the CIA's involvement was real.
Oil's Curse on Iran
- Iran was rich in oil but suffered under unfair British control and revenue deals.
- This resource curse made Iran vulnerable to exploitation by Britain and later Western powers.
Oil Nationalization Sparks Coup
- Nationalizing oil and breaking British control threatened Western economic interests and triggered British demand for Tehran regime change.
- U.S. support of the coup grew from Cold War fears and alliance with Britain against perceived communist threats.
