The year 2022 will be an important year in Pakistan’s political history as it was the country’s first time a prime minister was forcefully ousted on the basis of a vote of no-confidence.
However, such forceful power shifts have always been a part of politics. One of Pakistan’s top independent intelligence platforms, OSINT Insider, recalled Iran’s 1953 coup against democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq.
In a series of tweets, OSINT Insider, while referencing “CIA Clandestine Service History – Overthrow of Premier Mossadeq of Iran, November 1952 – August 1953”, talked about the CIA’s involvement in anti-Mossadeq campaigns in Tehran.
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During the tenure of Mossadeq’s predecessor PM Ali Raza, Iran was facing unrest as nationalist groups wanted to nationalize oil controlled by the French and British companies, or perhaps at least benefit from a more profitable oil deal. The British company Anglo Iran Oil Company (AIOC) was giving only 16% of its total net profit to Iran. It also rejected to raise the profits, sparking huge resentment in Iran against AIOC. Radical groups began targetting AIOC sites.
Important to note that Ali Raza opposed oil nationalization. As a result, the Fadayan-e Islam assassinated him. And Mosaddeq, with the Shah of Iran’s approval, was democratically elected as the Prime Minister of Iran in 1951.
AOIC wouldn't even pay 16% royalties, citing decease in profits or "low quality" of Iranian oil.
This created huge resentment in Iran against AOIC. British govt countered it by funding pro-West royalist groups including Rashideen brothers who were paid $10K monthly. 6/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
Mosaddeq’s tenure and CIA involvement
After becoming PM, Mosaddeq began negotiating with AIOC to agree on a deal that is similar to a 50/50 share US-Saudi oil deal. However, AIOC rejected the proposal. Undeterred, Mosaddeq went ahead and nationalized AIOC. Moreover, he also cut all diplomatic ties with the UK. This increased his popularity with the Iranian public. However, such a bold move resulted in backlash and UK began working to undermine Mosaddeq.
“MI6 documents in this regard are a treasure trove on how MI6 actively worked to undermine Mussadeq government,” OSINT Insider tweeted.
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“These declassified documents offer a deep insight on how rioters were hired and paid hefty amounts to launch violent demonstrations against PM Musaddeq,” OSINT Insider added.
MI6 documents in this regard are a treasure trove on how MI6 actively worked to undermine Mussaddaq govt.
These declassified documents offer a deep insight on how rioters were hired & paid hefty amounts to launch violent demonstrations against PM Mussaddaq. 11/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
Moreover, the US and UK began working together against Mosaddeq. Iran’s pro-Shah and pro-West groups were funded to start violent protests against Mosaddeq who also became aware of conspirators within his government.
However, US position changed radically when Eisenhower was elected as President in late 1952.
In November 1952, British intelligence suggested to US Intelligence that Mussaddaq was a "threat" to western interests in Middle East & that his government must be toppled. 14/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
On the other hand, Iranian CIA operatives within Iranian Intelligence threatened Iran’s religious leaders with “savage punishment if they opposed Mussadeq”. This gave a false impression that Mosaddeq was launching a crackdown, and stirred anti-Mosaddeq sentiments.
Due to the deep political chaos, Mosaddeq approached the public and appealed to the Shah of Iran to announce early elections. However, the Shah refused because he was threatened by Mosaddeq’s popularity. Meanwhile, the CIA painted Mosaddeq as anti-democratic leader and also backed the Shah.
99% voters voted in favour of dissolving parliament & giving PM the power to make legislation.
CIA used this referendum to project Musaddaq as "anti democratic" leader who shouldn't be supported by any democratic govt [while CIA was simultaneously supporting Shah]. 21/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
Shah of Iran takes over
In the end, the Shah agreed to overthrow Mosaddeq. Tehran became a warzone as Mosaddeq refused to leave office and massive protests began – both in his favor and against.
On the other hand, the Shah was determined and had him arrested by Iran’s Royal military. Mosaddeq eventually surrendered and things gradually came under control in Iran. For his “punishment” Mosaddeq was put under house arrest, his friends and associates were killed, and journalists were barred from giving him coverage. Basically, the Shah removed all public records of Mosaddeq.
In last week of August 1953, Shah again agreed to overthrow Musaddaq after President Roosevelt told him that United States would proceed with or without him.
In a written decree, Shah dismissed Musaddaq govt. Musaddaq was arrested by Iran's royal military & sent to jail. 25/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
Now what you're going to read may surprise you: Both these protests were funded by CIA & started at the cue of Donald Wilber.
As per CIA declassified docx, many leaders in anti-Shah camp were on CIA payroll. They organized violent protests against overthrow of Musaddaq. 28/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
However, the public never took to the Shah’s rule who brought in many pro-Western changes. Hard-core religious groups became more popular, deeply polarizing the Iranian society. Despite Iran’s secret police’s crackdown, the Shah could not contain the charged religious groups.
26 years after CIA toppled Musaddaq because he was "anti-West", Khumeni toppled Shah & took control of Iran under official slogans of "Margbar America."
During congressional hearings, CIA admitted that it "underestimated" discontent among masses against Shah. 40/40
— OSINT Insider (@OSINT_Insider) May 15, 2022
Imran Khan’s ouster vs. Iran’s 1953 Coup
Interestingly, events leading to Iran’s 1953 coup are similar to the recent political events that took place in Pakistan ahead of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ouster, especially his controversial claims of a US-backed conspiracy against him. While OSINT Insider’s Twitter series on the 1953 Iranian Coup makes no mention of Pakistan’s political events, it is hard to ignore the connection.
Both leaders took a hard-line stance against the West which led to severe repercussions, that too from the West. While Mosaddeq severed diplomatic ties with the UK, Imran Khan said the iconic “Absolutely Not” to the US.
Read more: Pakistan would ‘absolutely not’ allow US bases in Pakistan, PM Khan
Moreover, in both situations, issues arose over the elusive oil deals. Imran Khan has claimed that he went to Russia to seek cheaper oil for Pakistan – a move that sparked mass criticism as the visit was amidst the Russia-Ukraine war.
While the US did not openly condemn Imran Khan’s visit, it certainly pressurized Pakistan to condemn Russia’s military actions in Ukraine which Pakistan never did. As a result, the visit was perceived as a slap on the US’ face.
According to Imran Khan’s narrative, his blatant refusal to appease the US resulted in an international conspiracy to topple his government. The Shah of Iran had the CIA’s support, PTI has also accused PML-N and PPP of working with foreign conspirators.
Furthermore, there were conspirators against Mosaddeq within his government. In Imran Khan’s situation, several PTI MNAs joined the then Opposition ahead of the no-confidence motion.
Read more: Supreme Court to decide fate of rebel PTI MNAs
Following his ouster, Imran Khan has become even more popular. Just like most of the Iranian public rose against the Shah’s rule post-Mosaddeq, the Pakistani population too is rejecting the incumbent PML-N-led government.