The GlobaL Story: Operation Ajax: The CIA’s Iran coup
5/17/202628 min
At the outset of the war in Iran, US President Donald Trump suggested that regime change was one of its goals. He later said it had been had achieved, a claim that is disputed by critics who point out that the same repressive forces in Iran still hold power. American attempts at regime change in Iran have a long history. In 1953 the CIA, assisted by British intelligence, led a deadly coup that toppled Iran’s last democratically elected leader. It’s a moment in history that poisoned US-Iranian relations, and helped launch the theocratic revolution to come. But the immediate success of ‘Operation Ajax’ would convince the CIA to carry out a wave of similar plots around the world. We get the full story from Scott Anderson, author of King of Kings: The Fall of the Shah and the Revolution That Forged Modern Iran.
The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
Producers: Viv Jones and Valerio Esposito Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Supporters of the Shah of Iran in Tehran, 1953. Credit: Getty/Bettmann
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First 90 secondsTristan Redmond· Host0:00
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Asma Khalid0:03
[jingle] Hey there, I'm Asma Khalid.
Tristan Redmond· Host0:09
And I'm Tristan Redmond, and we're here with a bonus episode for you from the Global Story podcast.
Asma Khalid0:15
The world order is shifting. Old alliances are fraying, and new ones are emerging. Some of this turbulence can be traced to decisions made in the United States, but the US isn't just a cause of the upheaval. Its politics are also a symptom of it.
Tristan Redmond· Host0:31
Every day, we focus on one story, looking at how America and the world shape each other.
Asma Khalid0:37
So we hope you enjoy this episode, and to find more of our show, just search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Donald Trump· Soundbite0:45
We have really regime change. You know, this is a change in the regime.
Tristan Redmond· Host0:51
Donald Trump has said many times that he's achieved something like regime change in Iran.
Donald Trump· Soundbite0:59
Their first level leaders are dead, their second level leaders are dead, some of their third level leaders are dead. I call that regime change.
Tristan Redmond· Host1:07
It's hard to make a watertight case for it, though. There was a Khamenei in charge before the war. There's still a Khamenei in charge now. But it wouldn't be the first time the US has attempted regime change in Iran. [pensive music] Back in 1953, the CIA led a coup to topple Iran's