Operation Ajax: The 1953 Iranian Coup D’etat

In 1953, the U.S. orchestrated a secret operation to overthrow Iran’s elected government. Named Operation Ajax, this coup helped shape policies and perceptions in this region and beyond. The event is considered one of the most pivotal moments in modern Middle Eastern history.

We will review the political and social landscape of Iran prior to the Coup in 1953, the rise of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and his nationalization of the Iranian oil industry and the tensions this created with Britain and the U.S. We will focus on the orchestration and execution of Operation Ajax and learn about the key players, including the CIA, MI6 and local operatives, as well as the strategies they employed to overthrow Mossadegh. Through declassified documents and firsthand accounts, we will piece together the clandestine maneuvers, propaganda campaigns and political machinations that led to the coup. Finally, we will examine the immediate aftermath of the coup and its long-term consequences for Iran and the world. The installation of the Shah, the impact on U.S.-Iran relations and the seeds of future conflict sown by this event will be discussed. We will also consider the broader implications for international politics and covert operations and engage in a critical analysis of the widespread ramifications of Operation Ajax.

Kim Ripoli holds a master’s degree from Salve Regina University in international relations and a juris masters degree from Roger Williams University School of Law. She retired from the Navy after 26 years of service (multiple combat and humanitarian tours) as a Fleet Marine Force Senior Chief Hospital corpsman. Kim teaches courses in American government and state government at Salve Regina.