CIA Memo on Mossadegh’s Control in Iran (1953)
| Arash Norouzi |
This brief CIA document on the situation in Iran names no author and is undated, but it would have derived from March 1953. Though written in the abbreviated style of a telegram, it appears it may have been an outline for a much longer March 10th report, "The Situation in Iran".
There are two versions of this document. The first, with handwritten cross-outs, inserts and no paragraph breaks, and a revised version with a couple of minor changes. Because it is easier to read, the revised version precedes the draft below.
IRAN
Mossadeq [is] slowly consolidating [his] position. No serious overt opposition but [he is] maneuvering cautiously.
Kashani [Ayatollah Kashani] has withdrawn into shell.
Dissatisfaction [in] army circles and rumors [of a] military coup [are] possible but Mossadeq [is] probably able [to] block this and [begin] purge of army continuing with [the] Chief of Staff taking Mossadeq’s orders.
Tudeh [is] not yet ready to attempt [a] coup but 4 to 6 thousand Tudeh followers gave orderly demonstration in memory of Stalin.
Mossadeq has requested withdrawal [of] Point-4 personnel from [the] South Caspian area fearing Communist pressure.
Differences with [the] Shah [are] unresolved but he [is] being slowly undermined. Prince Abdr Reza [sic—Abdolreza Pahlavi] left for India and [the] Queen [Soraya Esfandiari Bakhtiari] [is] about to leave.
Tribal leaders [are] restive and new army commanders [have been] sent to [the] Bakhtiari area.
Oil conversations [are] dead-locked and Mossadeq [is] about to formally reject [the] last British offer and announce [a] breakdown of talks. This [is] partially [a] political maneuver by Mossadeq to strengthen [his] position
Iran appears to be in [a] situation of slow disintegration but with Mossadeq likely to control things for some time.
• Note: Bracketed text added for better readability.
[Annotations by Arash Norouzi]
Date unknown. Declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency on August 30, 2000.
Iran:
Mossadeq [is] slowly consolidating [his] position. No serious overt opposition but [he is] maneuvering cautiously. Kashani has withdrawn from overt opposition. into shell Dissatisfaction [in] army circles and rumors [of a] military coup [are] possible but Mossadeq [is] probably able [to] block this and [begin] purge of army continuing with [the] Chief of Staff taking Mossadeq’s orders. Tudeh [is] not yet ready to attempt [a] coup but 4 to 6 thousand Tudeh followers gave orderly demonstration in memory of Stalin. Mossadeq has requested withdrawal [of] Point-4 personnal [sic] from [the] South Caspian area fearing Communist pressure. Differences with [the] Shah [are] unresolved but he [is] being slowly undermined. Prince Abdor Reza [Abdolreza Pahlavi] has left for India and [the] Queen [is] about to leave. Tribal leaders [are] restive and new army commanders [have been] sent to [the] Bakhtiari area. Oil conversations [are] dead-locked and Mossadeq [is] about to formally reject [the] last British offer and announce [a] breakdown of talks. This [is] partially [a] political maneuver by Mossadeq to strengthen [his] position. Iran Appear[s] to be in [a] situation of slow disintegration but with Mossadeq likely to control things for some time.
• Note: Bracketed text added for better readability.
[Annotations by Arash Norouzi]
Date unknown. Declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency on August 30, 2000.
Related links:
Political Prospects In Iran | CIA Report, July 29, 1953
CIA Finds “Little To Show” Four Months After 1953 Coup in Iran
CIA: Mossadegh “Crazy Like A Fox”, Willing To Deal With U.S. (1952)
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”
