Mohammed Mossadegh, Iran’s former premier, who succeeded in reducing his nation’s oil production to less than a trickle while he was in office, went on trial for treason nearly a month ago.

We haven’t been able to keep up on all the convolutions of the case, our knowledge of Persian being limited, but we can swear on a stack of Plain Dealers and New York Times that the following incidents have taken place:

Nov. 8 (Opening day of trial): Mossadegh, garbed in bedjacket and topcoat, appeared in court and surprised one and all by swearing: “I am the legal premier of Iran.” At intervals he broke into sobs and once toppled over sideways on a bench as if fainting — but only to take a catnap.

Nov. 9: Appeared to be exhausted at first, then warmed up to his audience by hanging on the table, alternating tears and tirades. Wound up a hectic performance by announcing he would commit suicide even if the court found him not guilty. His point was that the court had no right to try him at all

Nov. 10: Again started weakly but gathered strength as he went along in what proved to be a pretty wearing day for the court if not for him: Mossadegh talked 8¼ hours, telling his political philosophy and reviewing 200 years of Iranian history. Also denounced his court named defense counsel as a “traitor,” cursed him and tried to take a punch at him. Tried to walk out of the court after being bawled out.

Nov. 11: Talked another six hours.

Nov. 12: Announced he couldn’t take any further part in the proceedings.

Nov. 14, 15: Drowsed through prosecutor’s statement. Court ruled it had authority to try him.

Nov. 16, 17: Abandoned persecution role for frequent snoozes interrupted by sarcastic remarks about the judge and prosecutor.

Nov. 18: Announces he fears he will be killed in prison. This came as the prosecution asserted he had been lucky not to have had his hands cut off for once having forged a royal decree.

Nov. 23: Two more tirades and two more attempts to walk out.

Nov. 28: Announces a hunger strike and shouts in court: “I’ll be dead in three days.”

Nov. 29: Eats a giant chicken dinner before entering court.

Dec. 1: Challenges chief prosecutor to a wrestling match.

Mossadegh may have stopped the flow of oil, but his corn and ham supply is unimpaired.