Musaddiq, Iranian Nationalism and Oil

Book excerpt: Muhammad Musaddiq was the first of the great charismatic anti-colonial campaigners of the post-war world. As Prime Minister of Iran between 1951 and 1953 he nationalised the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, led the nation's defiant attempt to run its oil industry independently during an economic blockade and attempted to run its oil industry independently during an economic blockade and attempted to strengthen the role of parliament in Iran. Musaddiq's crusade led to conflict with powerful foreign interests and in 1953 the CIA, at British instigation, removed him in a coup d'etat which restored the Shah's absolute powers. This book is a full-scale biography of Musaddiq which also charts the history of the Popular Movement from Musaddiq's downfall in 1953 to his death in 1967. Based on all the new material that has emerged from Iran since the revolution, Homa Katouzian's lively study is essential for all students of modern Iran, the Middle East and the politics of the Third World.