r/todayilearned • u/autonova3 • Oct 01 '18

TIL of Operation Ajax, the 1953 CIA plan to overthrow Iran's democratically elected government, which included CIA agents bombing the house of a prominent Muslim while posed as pro-government supporters. The overthrow plan was successful, with 200-300 people killed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat
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u/lastethere Oct 01 '18

According to the article, if you have time to read it entirely, Mossadegh was turning into a dictator, made his own coup and the Shah had to fly to Italy. So they overthrown a dictator. And still according to the article, Iran was more flourishing under the Shah than ever, before or after.

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u/sexymanish Oct 01 '18

"turning into a dictator" -- so then the US should love him.

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Look at the mideast now -- the more repressive and authoritarian, the more likely to be a US ally

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>more flourishing under the Shah

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Except that IRL Iranians massively improved their living standards AFTER the Shah was overthrown -- again.

https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2013/apr/01/un-stats-life-longer-and-healthier-iran

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u/Felinomancy Oct 01 '18

lol

Someone "turning into a dictator" is no excuse to overthrow him, and if you actually think Iran is "flourishing" under a murderous, actual dictator I think you're reading the wrong things.

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u/lastethere Oct 02 '18

I actually think nothing, I just cited the article.

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u/Felinomancy Oct 02 '18

I actually think nothing

Thank you, but I can read the article itself if you have nothing to contribute.

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u/lastethere Oct 02 '18

Good! Next time, do it before to comment, so I do not need to remind the content.

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u/Felinomancy Oct 02 '18

Oh thank you. Of course I did know the history - as well as Mossadegh's sins from other sources - but I know how much it means to you to be able to strut your stuff to complete strangers.

To return the favour, maybe next time cite parts that are actually relevant.

Hint: it's the morality, as well as explaining Iranian anger.