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Iran: How the prime minister was overthrown in 1953
Witness History
Aug 15, 2023

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)

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This programme contains outdated language.

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10min 21sec

Iran: How the prime minister was overthrown in 1953

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