Although Dr. Muhammad Mosaddegh was a Prime Minister of Iran during only a short period of 1951 to 1953, he has become one of the most controversial historical figures in modern Iran. While his supporters exaggerate about his role in Iran’s path to democracy, his critics unfairly blame him for treason. Mosaddegh was a Prime Minister for two short terms: During the first period which he was the leader of Oil Nationalization Movement, he was supported by both Shah and Americans, since they were not happy with Britain’s control over Iran’s oil and British influence on Iran’s politicians.
However, the ambitious Mosaddegh lost support of Muhammad Reza Shah when he asked for control over Iran’s army as a Minister of War. Following Shah’s disagreement with Mosaddegh’s request, he resigned, and was replaced by Ahmad Ghavam who was a successful experienced politician. Ghavam could resolve international disputes caused by Iran’s political conflict with England after nationalization of oil, but faced with strong opposition from Islamists when he asked for secularization and separation of Church and State.
On the other hand, communists were not happy to find Americans –and not Soviet Union- to gain political, economic, and military influence in Iran in the absence of England. Therefore, Islamists and communists united against Ghavam, and sent Mosaddegh back to office by a coupe which forced Shah to reinstate Mosaddegh as a Prime Minister, and even grant his request to be the Chief of Staff. However, U.S. could not let communists to gain political power during Cold War. Therefore, he was overthrown by 1953 coup planned by CIA, and his political life ended.
I believe what was going in Iran during his administration was not anything close to democracy, and his role in modern Iran has been exaggerated, though later political events in Iran were greatly influenced from his role in the history of modern Iran.
