According to a Sept. 24th CIA memo by Kermit Roosevelt, Jr., “[Premier Fazlollah] Zahedi has sent five messages to the Shah requesting that the Shah order the Military Tribunal to expedite execution of Mossadeq and others.”

A subsequent National Intelligence Estimate forecast, “Mossadeq remains a problem for the regime. So long as he remains alive, he will be a potential leader for extremist opposition to the regime. On the other hand, if Mossadeq were executed in the near future the resultant disturbances would be serious but could probably be suppressed.” (Probable Developments in Iran through 1954 | Nov. 10, 1953)

Though the death penalty was pursued during Mohammad Mossadegh’s treason trial, his life was eventually “spared” by the Shah, fearful of making him a martyr. His Vice Premier, Hossein Fatemi, however, was put before a firing squad.

Roosevelt himself told the Shah that he thought Brig. Gen. Taghi Riahi, a Mossadegh loyalist, should be executed.

• CIA Documents on Iran, Mossadegh, 1953 Coup

The following information from Tehran, Iran dated 30 September 1953, is evaluated at 1 (referring to reportorial accuracy). Subject of this information is “Shah’s Decision Concerning Disposal of Mossadeq”. [less than 1 line not declassified]

1. The Shah has decided that former Prime Minister Mossadeq must be tried and condemned to death, but he has not decided whether Mossadeq should then be pardoned by royal decree and immediately banished from Iran or immediately executed.

2. The Shah believes that any delay in disposing of Mossadeq, following the trial, would invite Tudeh (and pro-Mossadeq) counterattack under a slogan such as “Save Mossadeq’s Life”.

3. In the event of a Tudeh move (see paragraph 2 above) prior to the sentencing of Mossadeq, the Shah has ordered that Mossadeq be killed immediately by his guards.

4. The Shah is greatly disturbed by a report which he received that the Tudeh will attack within thirty days.