Operation Ajax (1953): The CIA’s Template—and Warnings for Today

Tags: U.S. History, War and Foreign Policy, World History

03/06/2026 Joshua Mawhorter

The current US conflict with Iran has its roots in the CIA-backed coup in 1953, which removed a democratically-elected prime minister and replaced him with the Shah. The Shah’s government ultimately collapsed, leading to the current Islamic republic.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/operation-ajax-1953-cias-template-and-warnings-today

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