For many Iranians, the modern political story begins in 1953. But to understand what happened that summer, you have to start a decade earlier — with the Cold War's first flashpoint, the rise of Mohammad Mossadegh, and the oil crisis that pulled Iran apart from the inside.
In 1946, Soviet-backed republics seized northern Iran. American and British pressure forced Stalin to pull out — the Cold War's opening move. Three years later, a gunman shot at the Shah on the steps of Tehran University. The attempt hardened him. It taught him that the throne could not survive on ceremony alone.
Then came Mohammad Mossadegh. In 1951, parliament voted to take back Iranian oil — fifty years of British monopoly, nationalized in a single sitting. To millions of Iranians, it was justice. But the method was explosive: nationalize first, settle later. Britain answered with an embargo meant to break the country. The economy stalled. The coalition cracked.
In July 1952, Mossadegh resigned in a power struggle with the Shah over control of the military. Tehran erupted. Within five days, Mossadegh was back — stronger than before.