We conservative types tend to blame Jimmy Carter for the fall of Iran into Islamo Fascist Hands. We are wrong.

Iran, unlike the many of her neighbors who were created by European colonialists and justified with outrageous myths, has a rich history and culture that is steeped in American like democratic traditions. Early Shahs sold concessions to Britain and others to support their lifestyles. The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company exploited the oil concession and built one of the biggest refineries in the world making huge profits while the Iranian workers lived in dire poverty.

Mohammad Mossadegh helped to create a Parliament that represented the people while the Shah remained in a royalty position, similar to Great Britain. When the British tried to monopolize all facets of the tobacco trade the Iranians engaged in a Tabacco Revolt, much like out Boston Tea Party, refusing to use or participate in the British Tobacco Trade. Mossadegh struggled to bring a better deal to the Iranian people and eventually nationalized the oil company. Britain was outraged and sought to overthrow Mossadegh. Mossadegh was extremely popular among the Iranians and was the 1951 Time Magazine Man of the Year.

Harry Truman would have no part of Britain’s interference and held them at least equally accountable for the mess. Truman sought to encourage nationalistic movements and independent free countries. This kept Britain from taking action… until Eisenhower came into office. The British painted a picture of economic collapse as a result of Iran’s loss of oil revenues largely stemming from England’s effective blockade of shipping and use of diplomatic might to keep anyone who could help the Iranians run the oil business away, and to intimidate customers from buying any of the the nationalized company’s product.

John and Allen Dulles feared a Soviet entry and in the height of the cold war that would allow the Soviets to dominate the valued oil fields of Iran. This was an unacceptable security risk.

Mossadegh suspected a British attempt to everthrow him and evicted the British. The British plan, however, was executed by the CIA under the clandestine leadership of Kermit Roosevelt, grandson of Teddy.

Mossadegh was overthown and imprisoned and the CIA and the Shah placed their pawn in his place. The Shah ruled poorly and brutally for two decades, largely supported by American largesse. The Ayatollah rose up against him in 1979, promising a return of the democratic reforms championed by Mossadegh. But after Khomeini secured power such democratic reforms dissappeared.

The people of Iran still respect Mossadegh and his democratic reforms. There is a democratic tradition there that is still suppressed. While we contemplate military action to stop their nuclear capability we may find that the current regime is very unpopular with its citizens. We may find that we have more in common with Iran than any other Muslim country in the Middle East.

summarized from All the Shah’s Men by Stephen Kinzer.

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