A US-backed coup in 1953 brought the Shah to power in Iran. Hear archive recordings of a CIA officer and an interview with the grandson of the deposed prime minister.
The coup of 1953 changed the course of Iranian history. The USA – with British help – overthrew a nationalist prime minister and installed the Shah in power.
In 2010, Alan Johnston heard archive recordings of the CIA officer who played a part and spoke to Hedayat Matine-Daftary, the grandson of Mohammed Mossadeq, the deposed prime minister.
(Photo: crowds of people protest against the Iran coup in 1953. Credit: Getty Images)
