CIA Documents on Iran

Declassified Records from the Mossadegh Era


The Mossadegh Project     
[Updated February 24, 2024]                                                    


“The political forces which brought Mossadeq and the National Front to power are powerful and lasting.” — Nov. 1952 NIE

CIA Documents on Iran, Mossadegh, 1953 Coup | 1951-1954

This archive collects declassified CIA documents on Iran, Dr. Mossadegh, oil negotiations and the 1953 coup. The transcribed documents are supplemented with in-depth analysis, footnotes, annotations and other background information, with regular updates to follow.

U.S. State Department Documents | IRAN
National Security Council (NSC) docs | IRAN
U.S. Congress on Iran | Archive (1951-1981)
British Foreign Office documents on Iran
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC/BP) | Archive





CIA Documents

1940’s

Collaboration between the Tudeh Party and Mullah Ayatollah Kashani | November 23, 1948


1951

NIE: The Importance of Iranian and Middle East Oil To Western Europe Under Peacetime Conditions | January 8, 1951

Mardom Attacks US For Imperialistic Designs in Iran | February 2, 1951 (Info from Sept. 13, 1950)

Iran: R. L. Hewitt to Ray S. Cline | March 15, 1951

The Current Crisis In Iran | March 16, 1951

Iran: Leading Prime Ministerial Candidates | March 28, 1951

Iran’s Position In the East-West Conflict | April 5, 1951

Implications of the Iranian Situation | April 18, 1951

Situation In Iran (Memo For the Director) | April 20, 1951

The Soviet Attitude Toward the Situation In Iran Since the Assassination of Razmara | April 30, 1951

Pan-Iran Movement | May 10, 1951

Current Developments In Iran | May 22, 1951

Anglo-Iranian Developments | May 28, 1951

Division Within the National Front | June 6, 1951

Press Account of Alleged Infiltration of Soviet Officers Into Iran | June 11, 1951

Iranian Dangers | June 18, 1951

Comments on British Draft Document, “Military Implications of the Entry of British Forces into Persian Territory” | June 20, 1951

Iranian Developments (Memo For the Director) | July 6, 1951

Role of the Haifa Refinery in the Iranian Crisis | July 9, 1951

Effects of Closing Down the Iranian Oil Industry | July 11, 1951

Topics Discussed at Tudeh Youth Meetings | July 20, 1951

Recruiting of German Technicians For Abadan Refineries | July 23, 1951

Visit of Dr. Baghai to Khuzistan | August 6, 1951

Change in Attitude of Iranian Government toward the Tudeh Party | August 15, 1951

Iranian Economy In the Event of A Successful Oil Settlement | August 21, 1951

Untitled Document on Oil Nationalization | August 22, 1951

Order of Oil Pipe for Shipment to Iran | September 4, 1951

Meeting of Roman Isayev and Mullah Kashani | September 7, 1951

Current Strength of the Tudeh Party In Iran | September 13, 1951

Catalytic Cracking Plant In Abadan | September 21, 1951

NIE-46: Current Outlook In Iran | September 25, 1951

Soviet Trade With Iran | September 25, 1951

Possible Rapprochement Between National Front and Tudeh Parties | October 9, 1951

Kermit Roosevelt on CIA Suppression of Iran’s Communists | October 9, 1951

Postponement of Possible Tudeh “Revolution” | October 10, 1951

India’s Attitude Toward the Anglo-Iranian Dispute | October 11, 1951

Iranian Oil Commission Head Refuses to Return to Abadan | October 12, 1951

Soviet Activities Along the Iranian Border | October 16, 1951

Import and Export of Commodities Across the Soviet-Iranian Frontier | October 16, 1951

Conversation with Iranian Ambassador to Italy Regarding Iran’s Oil Problem | October 27, 1951

Import and Export of Commodities Across the Soviet-Iranian Frontier | October 31, 1951

Movement of Soviet Vessels at Iranian Ports in the Caspian Sea | November 7, 1951

Tudeh Anticipation of Police Raids | November 16, 1951

Anti-Communist Statements By Mullah Kashani | November 17, 1951

Anti-Tudeh Measures of Iranian Police | November 20, 1951

Meeting Between Shah and Prime Minister Mossadegh | November 30, 1951

Soviet Ultimatum on Assistance to Iran Reported | December 9, 1951

The 6 December Riots in Tehran | December 12, 1951

Current Outlook In Iran | December 19, 1951


1952

Annotated Gazetteer of the Middle East Petroleum Industry | 1952 (undated)

Election Activities of the Tudeh Party | January 5, 1952

Probable Developments In Iran In 1952 In The Absence of An Oil Settlement | February 4, 1952

The Tudeh Party | February 7, 1952

Conflicting US and UK Estimates of the Iranian Situation | February 15, 1952

Untitled Document On Mossadegh’s Position (#15-19) | February 21, 1952

Untitled Document On Mossadegh’s Position (#22-27) | February 21, 1952

Finnish Tanker Enroute to Abadan | April 23, 1952

Weekly Instructions to Tudeh Members | May 16, 1952

Estimated Capabilities of the USSR to Build a Trans-Iranian Pipeline From Abadan to the Caspian Sea (A Preliminary Report) | July 14, 1952

Estimated Capabilities of the USSR to Build a Trans-Iranian Pipeline From Abadan to the Caspian Sea (continued) | July 14, 1952

An Evaluation of the Significance of the National Front Movement In Iran | July 1, 1952

CIA Ponders Mossadegh’s Mental Stability | July 29-30, 1952

Mossadegh “Crazy Like A Fox”, Willing To Deal With U.S. | July 30, 1952

Ayatollah Kashani’s Threat to Mossadegh | September 7-30, 1952

The Iranian Situation | September 11, 1952

New NIE on Iran | September 15, 1952

Alleged Refuelling of Polish Ships With Iranian Oil | September 18, 1952

Prospects For Survival of Mossadeq Regime in Iran (For Board Consideration) | October 3, 1952

SE-33: Prospects For Survival of Mossadeq Regime in Iran | October 4, 1952

Prospects For Survival of Mossadeq Regime in Iran | October 14, 1952

Tudeh Party Attitude Regarding Certain Political Leaders and Elements | October 21, 1952

Background of 13 October Draft Revision of NSC-107/2 (Iran) | November 5, 1952

Extract From NSC-136 (Iran) NSC Staff Draft of 7 November 1952 | November 7, 1952

Probable Developments In Iran Through 1953 | November 13, 1952

Comments On the Iranian Situation | November 26, 1952

Solution in Iran | November 28, 1952


1953

Communism In the Free World (Iran: pp. 235-258) | January 1953

Moslems Distrust USSR Advances | January 5, 1953

Probable Developments In Iran Through 1953 (NIE) | January 9, 1953

Mossadeq’s New Proposals Offer No Hope For Oil Settlement | Jan. 31, 1953

Mossadeq Plans To Announce End of Oil Negotiations | February 17, 1953

Internal Threat To Iranian Security | February 18, 1953

The Iranian Petroleum Situation | February 19, 1953

Iranian Prime Minister Faces Growing Opposition | February 21, 1953

Indication of Support of the Tudeh Party by Kashani | February 23, 1953

Prime Minister Mossadeq’s Threat To Resign | February 24, 1953

Mossadeq Continues To Strengthen His Position | February 26, 1953

Developments In Iran (For CIA Director Allen Dulles) | February 27, 1953

The Iranian Situation (Allen Dulles to Pres. Eisenhower) | March 1, 1953

Iranian Situation | March 4, 1953

Attitude of Shah Concerning His Present Position | March 16, 1953

Mossadeq Slowly Consolidating Position | March 1953

Measures which the United States Government Might Take in Support of a Successor Government to Mosadeq | March – July 1953

General Zahedi Seeks Shah’s Support To Overthrow Mossadeq | April 2, 1953

Mossadeq’s Version of His Conflict with the Shah | April 7, 1953

The Iranian Situation (Briefing Notes For the NSC) | April 21, 1953

The Iranian Situation (Briefing Notes For the NSC) | April 27, 1953

Iranian Tudeh Party Is No Longer Illegal | May 1953

Rumored Massing of Troops in Southern Iran | May 5, 1953

Probable Development of Soviet Bloc and Western Power Positions | June 30, 1953

Moscow’s Changing Attitude Toward Iran | July 1, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Iran Political Situation | July 14, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Iran Political Situation | July 15, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Iran Political Situation | July 16, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Iran Political Situation | July 17, 1953

Tudeh Demonstration - 21 July (undated) | July 22?, 1953

Political Prospects In Iran | July 29, 1953

CIA Drafts Official U.S. Statement For After 1953 Coup In Iran | Aug. 5, 1953

Board Estimate of the Current Outlook In Iran | August 13, 1953

Shah’s Decrees Obtained, Zahedi Needs Firm Guidance | August 14, 1953

The Iranian Situation | August 17, 1953

Assessment of the Iranian Situation | August 17, 1953

Memorandum Prepared in the Directorate of Plans | August 17, 1953

Telegram to Burton Berry & Kermit Roosevelt | August 17, 1953

Telegram to Burton Berry from Kermit Roosevelt | August 17, 1953

SE-49: The Current Outlook In Iran | August 19, 1953

CIA Commendations For Officers Involved In 1953 Coup | August 20-26, 1953

SE-49: The Current Outlook In Iran | August 21, 1953

SE-49: The Current Outlook In Iran | August 24, 1953

Tudeh Party Instructions | August 25, 1953

The Current Outlook In Iran | August 26, 1953

Immediate Prospects In Iran | August 27, 1953

Immediate Prospects In Iran (State Dept. Review Completed) | Aug. 27, 1953

The Situation In Iran | September 1953

Anti-Tudeh Activities of Zahedi Government | September 10, 1953

Transmittal of Texts of Messages Sent By Prime Minister Zahedi and Prime Minister Churchill | September 16, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Iran Political Situation | September 21, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Iran Political Situation | September 24, 1953

Causes and Circumstances of Mossadeq’s Downfall | October 5, 1953

The Co-op Position in a Possible Oil Settlement | October 13, 1953

Kermit Roosevelt on Zahedi’s Meeting With Kashani | October 20, 1953

Highlights of the Mossadeq Trial | November 1953

Letter to Herbert Hoover, Jr. (Unsigned) | November 1, 1953

Probable Developments in Iran through 1954 | November 10, 1953

Opposition to the Zahedi Regime | November 12, 1953

A Study of Electoral Methods in Iran | November 13, 1953

Tudeh Party Comparison of Events of 21 July 1952 and 19 August 1953 | November 24, 1953

Domestic and Foreign Policies, Attitudes, and Opinions | November 26, 1953

Tudeh Party Instructions | December 9, 1953

Tudeh Party Reaction To Nixon Visit and Resumption of Iranian-British Relations | December 15, 1953

Status of Communist Penetration of Iranian Military Establishments (undated draft) | December 29?, 1953

The Situation In Iran | December 30, 1953

Iranian Oil Production | December 30, 1953

Iran [Undated Memo Four Months After 1953 Coup] | Dec-Jan. 1953


1954

Iran: Strengthening of the Army | January 12, 1954

Situation in the Tudeh Party | January 12, 1954

Status Report on Iranian Elections | January 26, 1954

Letter From Allen Dulles Commending Donald N. Wilber | January 30, 1954

Personalities in the Zahedi Government | February 16, 1954

The Outlook In Iran | March 5, 1954

Campaign To Install Pro-Western Government In Iran | March 8, 1954

Consequences In Iran of a Failure to Achieve an Early Settlement | March 29, 1954

United States Policy Toward Iran | April 14, 1954

Iranian Reactions To Oil Consortium Proposals | April 28, 1954

Corruption in the Zahedi Government | June 14, 1954

Impending Political Crisis In Iran | June 15, 1954

Status of Iranian Oil Negotiations | June 18, 1954

Status of Iranian Oil Negotiations | June 25, 1954

Status of Iranian Oil Negotiations | July 2, 1954

CIA Propaganda and Psy-Ops in Iran To Help Zahedi Survive | July 8, 1954

Status of Iranian Oil Negotiations | July 9, 1954

Status of Iranian Oil Negotiations | July 23, 1954

Status of Iranian Oil Negotiations | July 30, 1954

Conclusion of Iranian Oil Negotiations | August 6, 1954

Iran: Economic Situation | August 18, 1954

Progress Report on NSC 5402 (Iran) | October 13, 1954

Probable Developments In Iran Through 1955 | December 7, 1954


1955

Situation In Iran | January 13, 1955

18 July 1955 Issue of Rah-e-Mosadeq, Organ of the NRM | Sept. 21, 1955


1956

Background--Iran (NSC Briefing) | September 26, 1956


1957

The Outlook For Iran | January 23, 1957


1960’s

Explosive Developments In Iran | May 4, 1961

Iran’s Financial Crisis | June 2, 1961

The Visit of the Shah of Iran | May 30, 1964

The Shah of Iran’s Current Outlook | March 30, 1966

Intelligence Memorandum: The Shah of Iran and His Policies | June 5, 1967

Intelligence Memorandum: Elections In Iran | August 1, 1967

The Shah’s Increasing Assurance | May 7, 1968


1970

Student Unrest Abroad | August 1970

Iran’s International Position | September 3, 1970


1972

Centers of Power in Iran | May 1972

Recent Trends In Iranian Arms Procurement | May 1972

The Shah of Iran’s Role as a Regional Leader | May 4, 1972

Mr. Kermit Roosevelt’s 26 April Meeting with the Shah of Iran | May 8, 1972

Talking Papers for the President’s Discussions in Iran | May 18, 1972

Iran: Internal Dissidence - A Note of Warning | June 12, 1972

Iran: Royal Revolution Revisited | July 27, 1972


1973

Iran: The Economy (National Intelligence Survey) | May 1973


1978

Iran After the Shah: An Intelligence Assessment | August 1978

Iran: The National Front | November 30, 1978

Iran: The Tudeh Party and the Communist Movement | December 8, 1978


1979

Iran: CIA Reports (Hamilton Jordan’s Confidential Files) | November 1979





Internal Histories

Clandestine Services History

Overthrow of Premier Mossadeq of Iran

November 1952 - August 1953



by Dr. Donald N. Wilber, March 1954

Cover and Historian’s Note

SUMMARY


I.     PRELIMINARY STEPS

II.     DRAFTING THE PLAN

III.     CONSOLIDATING THE OPERATIONAL PLAN

IV.     THE DECISIONS ARE MADE: ACTIVITY BEGINS

V.     MOUNTING PRESSURE AGAINST THE SHAH

VI.     THE FIRST TRY

VII.     APPARENT FAILURE

VIII.     “THE SHAH IS VICTORIOUS”

IX.     REPORT TO LONDON

X.     WHAT WAS LEARNED IN THE OPERATION


APPENDICES

A     Initial Operation Plan for TPAJAX as Cabled from Nicosia to Headquarters on 1 June 1953

B     “London” Draft of the TPAJAX Operational Plan

C     Foreign Office Memorandum of 23 July 1953 from British Ambassador Wakins to under Secretary of State Smith

D     Report on Military Planning Aspect of TPAJAX

E     Military Critique: Lessons Learned from TPAJAX re Military Planning Aspects of Coup d’Etat





Campaign To Install Pro-Western Government In Iran | March 8, 1954

The Battle for Iran | undated/1970’s (Version released in 1981)

The Battle for Iran | undated/1970’s (Version released in 2013)

“Zendebad, Shah!: The Central Intelligence Agency and the Fall of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq, August 1953” by Scott A. Koch | June 1998

The Road to Covert Action in Iran, 1953 | by Scott A. Koch, Studies in Intelligence, Vol. 48, No. 2 (June 2004)







CIA Propaganda

Our National Character | 1953

Mossadeq’s Spy Service | 1953

Dr. Mossadeq and Reza Shah | 1953

How Mossadeq Makes Enemies of Our Neighbors | 1953

Negativism and Positivism | 1953

Mossadeq’s Desperate Adventure | 1953

Oppression of the Workers by Mossadeq Dictatorship | 1953

The Opium Government | July 8, 1953

Along the Road Toward Dictatorship | August 1953






Church Committee

Covert Action in Chile, 1963-1973 | Staff Report

Alleged Assassination Plots Involving Foreign Leaders | November 20, 1975

Covert Action | December 4-5, 1975


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Related links:

The CIA Scheme to Have the Shah ‘Dismiss’ Mossadegh: August 16, 1953

The CIA Crisis | The Washington Post, December 24, 1974 editorial

Estimate of the Political Strength of the Mosadeq Government (May 1951)



MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”

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