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A look at the documents detailing the US and UK-backed overthrow of Iran's political leadership in the early 50s.

The British oil company Anglo Persian (of which the British government owned 51%), had been exploiting Iranian oil since 1909. But when Britain refused to share equal profits, Iran’s new political leadership in the spring of 1951 moved to nationalise the oil reserves and cut off the UK’s supply. After failing to win support at the United Nations, Britain resorted to dirtier tactics; a coup d’état – operated and backed by the CIA.