Iran & America: A Century and Counting · Episode 1 of 11 · 22 min
Why Iran Once Trusted America: Oil, Empire & Mosaddegh's Rise
A British-controlled oil monopoly, a wartime occupation, and a Soviet standoff set the stage for an early moment of Iranian goodwill toward the United States. Then Iran's push to reclaim its oil collided with British power, and Washington under Truman chose mediation over a coup.
Who's who
- Mohammad Mosaddegh+6 more episodesNationalist prime minister from 1951; nationalized the oil industry
- Reza ShahForced to abdicate after the 1941 Anglo-Soviet occupation
- Mohammad Reza Pahlavi+8 more episodesYoung monarch who succeeded his father in 1941
- Harry S. Truman+14 more episodesU.S. president who declined British appeals to remove Mosaddegh
Where it happens
- Abadan, Iran+1 more episodeGave its name to the crisis after Britain's oil embargo
- Northern IranWhere Soviet troops lingered after World War II
Timeline
- 1901A British-controlled concession grows into the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, which keeps most of the profits.
- 1941Britain and the Soviet Union occupy Iran; Reza Shah abdicates in favor of his son.
- 1945–1946American and British pressure helps push Soviet troops out of northern Iran.
- April 1951Mosaddegh becomes prime minister and parliament votes to nationalize the oil industry.
- 1951–1953Britain embargoes Iranian oil and withdraws its technicians, strangling government revenue.
Connected episodes in other series
Why Truman Refused to Overthrow Iran's MosaddeghTwo Parties, One Coup · Episode 1Also features Harry S. Truman, Mohammad Mosaddegh
Standard Oil's Secret Cartel With Nazi GermanyBackyard Empire: The U.S. in Latin America · Episode 3Also features Harry S. Truman
The Good War's Fine Print: The WWII Draft's Forgotten LosersGreeting: America and the Draft · Episode 5Also features Harry S. Truman
How Foresters Built the Allied War MachineGround Truth: Forest Service Research · Episode 6Also features Harry S. Truman