May 4, 1954 — The Associated Press
The Mossadegh Project | November 9, 2024 |
Anti-Mossadegh Speech
Tehran. Iran, May 4 (AP)—Three fourths of Iran’s new deputies today shouted down a colleague who attacked ex-Dictator Mohammed Mossadegh as a traitor.
Howled Down In Iran
The sudden explosion of pro-Mossadegh feeling tapped a speech by Deputy Abdol-Hossein Amir Ehtehshmai [sic—Ehteshami] accusing Mossadegh of being a traitor to his country “because he made the
Majlis (lower house of Parliament) pass the
oil nationalization law in a hurry.”
At least 80 deputies jumped to their feet, many shaking their fists and cursing as Ehtehshmai, standing at the dais below the chairman’s seal, read his speech from a sheaf of papers.
One deputy screamed: “This speech was written for you last night in the British Embassy.”
Howled Down
The British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company lost its holdings
in this country under the nationalization law put through by Mossadegh in 1951. The A.I.O.C. and seven other foreign oil companies are now negotiating over the possibility of putting Iran’s oil back in the world markets.
Ehtehshmai tried to resume speaking, but was howled down from the floor for at least five minutes. Then grimly, he folded his speech and walked back to his seat.
Related links:
Iranian Parliament In Uproar Amidst Mossadegh Power Fight | AP, June 8, 1953
Delicate Decisions For Persia | Troy Record, Sept. 3, 1953
Mossadegh’s Last Great Performance | Calgary Herald, Nov. 10, 1953
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”




