Another History of Iran

What if Iran had become a peaceful and democratic nation?

It was not just a dream.

It was almost real—until a powerful country made a different choice.

A Prime Minister Who Wanted National Pride

In 1951, Mohammad Mossadegh became the Prime Minister of Iran.

He nationalized Iran’s oil, which was controlled by Britain.

This was about more than oil...

It was about pride and sovereignty.

People cheered in the streets, shouting, “Give us back our oil!”

Mossadegh was a democratic leader trying to build a new future.

Hidden Forces Behind the Scenes

But behind the scenes...

Britain and the United States feared losing control.

So in 1953, they led a secret coup, called Operation TPAJAX, to remove Mossadegh.

The Shah returned, and a dictatorship was formed with foreign support.

The Price of Ignoring the People

Over time, wealth from oil stayed with the elite—the royal family, the army, and powerful business groups.

The people saw poverty, injustice, and oppression.

The rich enjoyed a Western lifestyle...

But conservative religious groups felt ignored—and angry.

The Islamic Revolution

In 1979, the anger exploded into the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khomeini led a new religious government with strong anti-American views.

Since then, Iran has faced decades of difficulty:

The U.S. embassy crisis, sanctions, war, and isolation.

A Choice Still Echoing

Some experts even say:

“If the 1953 coup had never happened... 9/11 might not have happened either.”

History’s echo still rings today.

The Real Question

Should outside powers use force to change Iran again?

We have seen what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan...

Sometimes, pressure from outside brings only more pain and confusion.

So the real question is:

How can the people of a country choose their own future?

Still Asking

The choices made 70 years ago still matter.

And the world still asks:

What can we do, now, to help build peace in the Middle East?