Iran leading up to the United States intervention in 1953.By 1951 Mohammad Mossadegh had established himself firmly in the political scene in the mountainous country of Iran. Mossadegh ran for the office of Prime Minister with just one campaign promise: to free Iran from the British imperial yoke (Gavin, 1999, p.64). He had also built his political strength, based largely on his call to nationalize the concession and installations in Iran of the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (Risen, 2000, p.10). Mossadegh embodied the fierce nationalistic pride felt by so many Iranians, this brought Mohammad Mossadegh an easy victory (Gregory,1951,p.31). On May Day 1951, after three days of raging Pro-Mossadegh rioting, Mossadegh announced that the Majlis had passed the Nationalization Act, despite strong opposition by many members of the Majlis (Gavin,1999, 65). By this time Mossadegh’s power had grown so great that the Shah (monarchy) was virtually forced to appoint him Premier. Even after being appointed to the Premiership, popularity continued to skyrocket for Mossadegh. Mossadegh’s popularity, growing power, and intransigence on the oil issue were creating friction between the prime minister and the Shah. These small victories wet Mossadegh’s appetite for more power. As a result in the summer of 1952, Mossadegh demanded the Shah appoint him Minister of war (and, by implication, to control the armed forces) (Gavin, 1999, p.65). The Shah refused to let the national army too fall into control of a man he already despised. In response to this decision, Mossadegh resigned. The next four days were followed with pro-Mossadegh rioting. By now, the Shah was forced to reappoint Mossadegh to head the government where he now dealt with the countries foreign affairs (Roosevelt, p.25). In foreign affairs, the minister pursued a very active policy--so active that leaders of nations thousands of miles away, slept restless ...
