Confessions of an Economic Hitman: The USA and Iran

WWII/1941 USA (CIA) and Britain depose the Shah of Iran for being a Nazi collaborator USA (CIA) and Britain depose the Shah of Iran for being a Nazi collaborator Mohammad Reza-Shah Pahlavi, the son, helps to overthrow his father. Mohammad Reza-Shah Pahlavi, the son, helps to overthrow his father. He establishes a constitutional monarchy. His government is not popular. He establishes a constitutional monarchy. His government is not popular.

Cold War/1951 The Shah’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, forced the Shah into exile. The Shah’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, forced the Shah into exile. Mossadegh brings a democratic/socialist political agenda to Iran. Mossadegh brings a democratic/socialist political agenda to Iran. Time “Man of the Year” 1951 Time “Man of the Year” 1951 The government rebels against British Petroleum for exploiting Iranian natural resources and people. The government rebels against British Petroleum for exploiting Iranian natural resources and people. Mossadegh nationalizes all Iranian petroleum assets. Mossadegh nationalizes all Iranian petroleum assets. The British look to the US for help. The British look to the US for help. Both are afraid a military action will provoke the USSR Both are afraid a military action will provoke the USSR

Containment/Imperialism? The CIA labels Mossadegh a communist and send Kermit Roosevelt to Iran to organize a coup. The CIA labels Mossadegh a communist and send Kermit Roosevelt to Iran to organize a coup. Roosevelt uses payoffs and threats to stage street riots that make Mossadegh look unpopular an inept. Roosevelt uses payoffs and threats to stage street riots that make Mossadegh look unpopular an inept. Mossadegh falls due to a CIA orchestrated plot against a democratically elected President. Mossadegh falls due to a CIA orchestrated plot against a democratically elected President.

1961 The Shah is willing to be a US puppet to regain power and is reinstated as a symbol of progress. The Shah is willing to be a US puppet to regain power and is reinstated as a symbol of progress. He is to be a “democratic” friend of US corporate and political interests and show the world an alternative to repressive regimes of Iraq, Libya, N. Korea, and China. He is to be a “democratic” friend of US corporate and political interests and show the world an alternative to repressive regimes of Iraq, Libya, N. Korea, and China. He rules Iran as an unchallenged dictator. He rules Iran as an unchallenged dictator.

White Revolution White Revolution a) land reform for peasants a) land reform for peasants b) Flowering Desert Project: restoration (planting trees and stimulating agriculture) of once fertile plains that were overused and turned into desert. b) Flowering Desert Project: restoration (planting trees and stimulating agriculture) of once fertile plains that were overused and turned into desert. c) socioeconomic reform c) socioeconomic reform d) development of industrial sector d) development of industrial sector e) westernization and modernization e) westernization and modernization 1962

Appearances A model of Christian-Muslim cooperation

Reality/Hidden Builds the most powerful army in the Middle East Builds the most powerful army in the Middle East SAVAK-ruthless secret police SAVAK-ruthless secret police US Corporations make huge profits: US Corporations make huge profits: power/energy, infrastructure The rich get richer----the poor remain poor The rich get richer----the poor remain poor Many hate the Shah for being a US puppet Many hate the Shah for being a US puppet SAVAK is despised for its cruelty and atrocities committed against the people of Iran SAVAK is despised for its cruelty and atrocities committed against the people of Iran “Green means more than agriculture” Many do not embrace modernity. The desert is a cultural environment. Ancient Iranians were people of the desert. Urbanized Persians take vacations in the desert. “Green means more than agriculture” Many do not embrace modernity. The desert is a cultural environment. Ancient Iranians were people of the desert. Urbanized Persians take vacations in the desert.

The Hidden World Visitors to Iran are shielded from the dark side and the growing Muslim fundamentalist opposition Visitors to Iran are shielded from the dark side and the growing Muslim fundamentalist opposition

1979 An Islamic uprising forces the Shah to flee to Egypt An Islamic uprising forces the Shah to flee to Egypt Ayatollah (inspired by god) Ruhollah Khomeni, a Shia cleric, establishes a theocracy Ayatollah (inspired by god) Ruhollah Khomeni, a Shia cleric, establishes a theocracy Iranians seize the US embassy in Tehran and take hostages. They demand the Shah in return for the hostages. A US military rescue fails. Hostage crisis and OPEC oil embargo doom Carter’s presidency. Iranians seize the US embassy in Tehran and take hostages. They demand the Shah in return for the hostages. A US military rescue fails. Hostage crisis and OPEC oil embargo doom Carter’s presidency. Hostages held for 444 days. Let go on first day of Reagan’s’ presidency, 1/20/81 Hostages held for 444 days. Let go on first day of Reagan’s’ presidency, 1/20/81

Conclusions Does this sound familiar … Does this sound familiar … How could we have been so wrong? How could we have been so wrong? --about supporting the Shah -giving military aid to Iraq to help kill Iranians Iraq: We help Saddam to become a killer and then we start a war to oust him when he no longer suits ours purposes. Iraq: We help Saddam to become a killer and then we start a war to oust him when he no longer suits ours purposes. How could we have been so wrong? How could we have been so wrong? Should we wonder why Iran wants nuclear weapons and does not trust us? Should we wonder why Iran wants nuclear weapons and does not trust us?