REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana Episode Summary: Operation Ajax: The CIA’s Secret War in Iran | 1
In this compelling episode of REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries, host Luke Lamanna delves deep into one of the most consequential covert operations in modern history: Operation Ajax, the CIA-led overthrow of Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, in 1953. Through meticulous research and dramatic storytelling, Lamanna unpacks the intricate web of espionage, propaganda, and political maneuvering that reshaped the Middle East and set the stage for decades of tension between the United States and Iran.
1. Setting the Scene: Tehran in Turmoil (00:06 – 02:54)
The episode opens in the summer of 1953 within the American Embassy in Tehran, where Kermit Roosevelt Jr., a seasoned CIA operative and grandson of former President Theodore Roosevelt, gauges the escalating chaos outside. As protests and riots engulf the Iranian capital, Roosevelt remains steadfast inside the embassy, aware that he holds the reins to a mission that could alter the course of history.
Notable Quote:
"Kermit showed no surprise. This was the third time he'd been told to leave the embassy since the street fighting had started." (01:26)
2. The Birth of Operation Ajax (03:01 – 09:36)
Lamanna provides a historical backdrop, explaining the longstanding U.S. interest in Iranian oil and how Prime Minister Mossadegh's nationalization efforts threatened Western economic interests. The British Intelligence Service (MI6) initially devised a coup plan known as Operation Boot, which the CIA later adopted and expanded into Operation Ajax under the new U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower.
Roosevelt's personal motivations are explored, highlighting his desire to honor his grandfather's legacy of adventure and leadership. Assigned the formidable task of orchestrating Mossadegh's ousting, Roosevelt enters Iran under the guise of "James Lockridge," symbolizing his commitment to the mission's secrecy.
Notable Quote:
"Operation Ajax was in America's best interest." (04:53)
3. Implementing the Propaganda Campaign (09:36 – 16:35)
Upon his arrival in Tehran, Roosevelt embarks on Phase One of Operation Ajax: manipulating public opinion against Mossadegh. He systematically takes control of the Iranian press, bribes journalists, and disseminates anti-Mossadegh propaganda. This orchestrated media campaign is designed to tarnish Mossadegh's reputation, portraying him as anti-Islam and a threat to national stability.
Roosevelt's strategic use of media underscores the covert operation's reliance on information warfare. Despite initial doubts about the effectiveness of his efforts, the campaign gains traction, paving the way for subsequent phases.
Notable Quote:
"He couldn't leave the house without stepping over it. He even got agents back in D.C. to write anti Mosaddegh propaganda." (13:59)
4. Alliances and Charismatic Manipulation (16:35 – 25:06)
Transitioning to Phase Two, Roosevelt focuses on leveraging influential figures within Iran, particularly targeting religious leaders (mullahs) who wield significant influence over the populace. By bribing key mullahs and street gang leaders, he aims to create internal divisions and instigate violence that discredits Mossadegh's administration.
A pivotal moment occurs during Roosevelt's clandestine meetings with the young Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Through relentless persuasion and strategic negotiations, Roosevelt succeeds in convincing the Shah to dismiss Mossadegh, marking a critical turning point in the coup.
Notable Quote:
"He was the humblest man I've ever known." (05:50)
5. The Failed Coup and Roosevelt's Resolve (25:06 – 33:05)
As Operation Ajax progresses, initial attempts to arrest Mossadegh falter when Iranians loyal to the Prime Minister preemptively act against the coup plotters. Amidst mounting failures, Roosevelt grapples with the mission's precarious state. Facing orders to abort and return to the U.S., Roosevelt's determination prevails. Refusing to concede defeat, he rallies his resources, employing unorthodox methods like mass-producing falsified decrees to regain control and advance the coup's objectives.
Notable Quote:
"Kermit was sure of it." (23:07)
6. The Successful Overthrow of Mossadegh (33:05 – 41:47)
Reinvigorated, Roosevelt intensifies the operation by amplifying street protests through paid gangs, inciting riots, and orchestrating the public destruction of symbols associated with the Shah. These actions create an environment of chaos that undermines Mossadegh's authority and compels his resignation.
The culmination of these efforts is broadcasted live, signaling the coup's success. As Mossadegh is deposed and the Shah consolidates power, Roosevelt's mission is declared a triumph within CIA circles, cementing his place in intelligence history.
Notable Quote:
"Operation Ajax may have made Kermit the man he always wanted to be, but he should have been careful what he wished for." (45:50)
7. Long-Term Consequences and Legacy (41:47 – 46:55)
Lamanna transitions to the broader ramifications of Operation Ajax, tracing its influence on subsequent Iranian-American relations. The reinstated Shah's autocratic rule, supported by the U.S., bred widespread resentment among Iranians, ultimately fueling the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the notorious hostage crisis.
The episode underscores how Operation Ajax, while deemed a strategic success for the CIA, sowed seeds of enduring animosity, transforming Iran into one of America's most formidable adversaries in the region.
Notable Quote:
"Operation Ajax set the stage for Iran to become one of the US's most hated enemies." (45:32)
8. Conclusion: Reflecting on a Complex Legacy (46:55 – End)
In closing, Lamanna reflects on Kermit Roosevelt Jr.'s dual legacy: celebrated in CIA lore yet reviled in Iranian collective memory. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate moral and ethical dilemmas inherent in covert operations and their far-reaching impacts on international relations.
Notable Quote:
"His legacy is having made many Iranians bitterly anti-American for generations and helping to destabilize the Middle East." (46:12)
Key Takeaways:
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Operation Ajax was a meticulously planned CIA operation aimed at overthrowing Iran's Prime Minister Mossadegh to protect Western oil interests.
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Kermit Roosevelt Jr., driven by personal ambition and familial legacy, played a central role in executing the coup through propaganda, bribery, and strategic manipulation of influential societal figures.
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The successful overthrow of Mossadegh led to the reinstatement of the Shah, whose autocratic regime fostered deep-seated resentment among Iranians.
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The long-term repercussions of Operation Ajax include the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the enduring adversarial relationship between the United States and Iran.
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The episode highlights the ethical complexities of covert operations and their unintended consequences on global politics and national psyches.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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(01:26) "This was the third time he'd been told to leave the embassy since the street fighting had started."
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(04:53) "Operation Ajax was in America's best interest."
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(13:59) "He couldn't leave the house without stepping over it. He even got agents back in D.C. to write anti Mosaddegh propaganda."
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(05:50) "He was the humblest man I've ever known."
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(23:07) "Kermit was sure of it."
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(45:50) "Operation Ajax may have made Kermit the man he always wanted to be, but he should have been careful what he wished for."
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(45:32) "Operation Ajax set the stage for Iran to become one of the US's most hated enemies."
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(46:12) "His legacy is having made many Iranians bitterly anti-American for generations and helping to destabilize the Middle East."
Sources Mentioned:
- All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer
- An American Coup by Stephen Kinzer
- The Roots of Middle East Terror by Stephen Kinzer
- Counter the Struggle for the Control of Iran by Kermit Roosevelt Jr.
- Articles from The New York Times and NPR
Production Credits:
This episode was written by Aaron Lan, with sound design by Ryan Batesta and produced by Christopher B. Dunn. Associate producers and researchers include Sarah Vitak, Teja Palakanda, Adam Melian, and Rafa Faria. Fact-checking was conducted by Sheila Patterson for Ballin Studios. The production team also included sound designer Marcelino Villapando and senior producers Laura, Donna Palavoda, Dave Schilling, and Rachel Engelman.
Listen to the full episode on the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify to uncover more declassified secrets and untold stories from the shadows of global history.