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The Oil Nationalization Bill and The Government of Mosaddegh        Follwing the assassination of Razmara, Hossain Ala was given the task of forming a cabinet, whit the wave of strike had swept oil workers in Khozestan. Ala resigned on 27 April 1951 and the Majlis gave its vote of confidence to Dr. Mosaddegh as the new prime Minister. The 9 point oil nationalization law written by the special oil committee, was approved by the legislative body on 29ht April 1451, received the Shah’s confirmation on 30ht April and went into force. The next day, Dr.Mosaddegh’s cabinet presented its program to the Majlis. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was formed with a three member provisional board of directors, as the first step in the nationalization process. The board arrived in Abadan on 9ht June 1951. The next day the flag of Iran was posted on top of the company’s main office in Khorramshahr.       The board had instructions not to obstruct Iran’s oil exports, and it agreed that tankers should continur to lift oil cargoes, in return for which they were to sign receipts, to allow for accounting at a later period. Oil tankers, withc were either owned or leased by the company ,refused to sign unconditional receipts. Thus oil liftings from Abadan came to a halt. Oil storages were filled, the Abadan refinery’soperations also come to a halt, and 4500 non Iranian oil personnel resigned collectively. At the time there were 61500 Iranian and foreign workers employed bythe company. Interruption of oil perations, stopped oil revenues, and forced the government to pay their salaries.

Unsuccessful Attempts at Solving the Oil Problems

On 10 June 1951 when the provisional board stationed itself in Khorramshahr, a mission headed by Basil Jackson the deputy chairman of the company arrived in Iran with proposals that were turned down because they were contradicting the oil nationalization law. The british government filed a complaint with the Internalization law. The British government filed a complaint with the International Tribune at the Hague which issued an interim ruling for the continuation of the operation of oil installations, and called on the government of Iran to avoid intervening with the affairs of the company, to allow the court to study the case and issue its final verdict. Iran did not accept the ruling, because it did not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over the case.       Following the failure of the Jackson Mission, the U.S. President Turman dispatched one of its senior advisors named “Harriman” for mediation to Tehran. Another mission headed by a British minister stokes-arrived in Tehran at the same time. Ensuing talks also failed and Harriman left Tehran follwing Stokes. The British government, which had plans to resort to military forces and occupyKhuzestan and Abadan, dispatched its paratroopers to Cyprus and stationed several warships in Abadan area waters, the move was countered by U.S. opposition, which feared the Soviet intervention in the situation.

The Uprising of 21 July 1952

As a result of massive popular unrest, Ghavam was forced into resignation on 21 July 1952, and Mosaddegh became Prime Minister again. About a month after this development the joint proposal of “Churchill and Turman” was put forward for the solution of the oil problem (27 Agust 1952). This proposal was not accepted either, because it was in violation of the principle of nationalization. Thecounter the British spies’ moves that had launched extensive operations under diplomatic cover, to undermine the government, Mosaddegh declared the interruption of all political lies with Britain.

The Coup of 19 August 1953
The United States’ ambassador left Tehran for Washington on 30th may 1953 In a meeting of CIA officials in Washington on 25 June 1953, the coup attempt disigned to overthrow Mosaddegh was approved by the U.S. Secretary of State, Dulles, and U.S. President, Eisenhower issued instructions for its implementation. Cremit Roosevelt, chief CIA operations in Africa and the Middle East entered Iran through Iraq on 19ht July on a counterfeit passport to implement the coup.       Based on a decree from the Shah. Appointing General Fazlollah Zahedi as prime Minister, the organizers of the coup arrested several ministers at midnight. Brigadier Nassiri headed a convoy of military trucks and personnel carries to inform Mosaddegh of his dismissal. Mossaddegh, who had earlier learnt of coup plan. Countered their actions and brigadier Nassiri was arrested. In the early morning of August 16, a government declaration gave news of the failure of the coup, and the Shah fled to Baghdad on a private plane. Opposition to monarchy, which was Strengthened by the Tudeh party activities, spread to all corners of the country. Operators of coup d’ etat, however, tried again and on 19 August took over government offices, set fire to party centers, pro-government newspapers, ana occupied radio centers of the army.       The message of the new Prime Minister was radio broadcast from the radio, and agents of the coup raided the residence of Mossaddegh using machine guns and tanks, and set it on fire. Mossaddegh ana several of his friends who had fled to a neighbour’s house surrendered themselves to the military commander. After a controverslal trial, he was exiled to Ahmadabad, where he died. more ...                                                        back
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