Nationalisation of Iranian Oil and the Mossadegh Crisis

Mossadegh’s government nationalised the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, asserting national control over strategic resources. This policy triggered economic confrontation, international tension, and internal political conflict.

Background

Long-standing concerns over foreign concessions, economic inequity, and limited sovereign control over oil revenues made nationalisation a central political demand. Mossadegh’s coalition drew on nationalist parties, professional groups, and segments of the clergy. International opposition from Britain and the United States shaped the ensuing crisis.

Legacy

The nationalisation attempt became a symbol of Iranian sovereignty and remains central to national memory. The coup influenced public attitudes toward foreign influence and shaped later revolutionary narratives.

Key Moment