Iran Oil Nationalization Movement and American Foreign Policy during the Cold War, with a Focus on Iranian Public Opinion

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870828
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: History of Asia and Africa; Area studies
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Mari Nukii 早稲田大学, イスラーム地域研究機構, 招聘研究員 (90549578)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 冷戦 / ナショナリズム / イラン / アメリカ / 石油 / ソ連 / 世論 / CIA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In 1951, the Iranian government nationalized the oil industry, which had been controlled by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company since 1908. The Truman administration initially showed sympathy toward the nationalist movement in Iran and tried to play a role as a mediator in the oil dispute. However, the American government changed its policy toward Iran and resulted in overthrowing the Mohammad Mosaddeq government through a coup led by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the British Military Intelligence Section 6 in August 1953. As a result of analysis of US public documents and Persian newspapers, a coup plan was decided by the National Security Council (NSC), which overestimated Communist influence in Iran and was pursued by CIA and American Embassy in Iran. American manipulation of public opinion in Iran had a certain influence to foment mistrust toward the Mossadeq Government and fear for Communist threat among Iranian people.

Free Research Field

地域研究