After the hugely popular PM Mosaddegh successfully nationalized Iran’s oil industry, UK and US intelligence services overthrew his democratically elected government during the 1953 coup d’état. Aperture-American CoupAMERICAN COUP IN AUGUST OF 1953 IRAN HAD A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. ITS PARLIAMENT AND PRIME MINISTER, THE POPULAR MOHAMMAD MOSSADEGH, HAD NATIONALISED THE OIL INDUSTRY TO CONTROL THE COUNTRY’S CHIEF ASSET. THEN THE CIA INTERVENED. I am honoured to be in the timeless city of Cairo. (cheering) We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world. Tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. For many years Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country and there is, in fact, a tumultuous history between us. Since the Islamic revolution Iran has played in role in acts of hostage taking and violence against US troops and civilians. In the middle of the Cold War the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. This history is well known. Show Less >>