Mosaddegh’s government resists the first coup attempt

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi signed decrees dismissing Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and appointing General Fazlollah Zahedi. Supporters of Mosaddegh regarded the move as an unconstitutional attempt...

Royal Guard commander Nematollah Nasiri delivered the dismissal order and attempted to seize the prime minister, but loyal forces arrested him and the first coup attempt failed.

After the failed first coup attempt, the Shah left for Baghdad and then Rome. Crowds and political activists initially interpreted his departure as a victory for constitutional government.

Following the Shah’s flight, protesters removed royal statues and called for an end to monarchical intervention in government.

Royalist military units, paid organizers and street forces defeated the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh. Supporters of the 1979 Revolution later treated the coup as decisive evidence of Western...

Control of broadcasting allowed coup leaders to announce that Zahedi was prime minister and encourage military units to join the overthrow.

Tanks and armed crowds assaulted the prime minister’s home. Mosaddegh escaped temporarily before surrendering to the new authorities.