Mossadegh and Ahmadinejad

Iran faces almost the same dilemma as 1953

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Mossadegh and Ahmadinejad
by Ardeshir Ommani
01-Feb-2010
 

There is a stark similarity between some aspects of the political atmosphere dominant over Iran today and those under Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh right before the U.S.-led coup of 1953 that resulted in the overthrow of the legitimate government of Iran and the establishment of a U.S.-puppet government of the Shah. In the period between 1951-53, the U.S. in a close collaboration with the British colonial power through their channels within Iran's military and political apparatus, particularly the Shah’s court, was able to contrive division within the ruling circle and as a result the society at large.

The U.S.-U.K. sanctions of Iran's oil export at the time pursued a multitude of purposes: political instability, economic hardship, and international isolation. In the final year of Mossadegh's rule, the government was unable to pay the salaries of the civil servants in full, which had resulted in resentment towards the Prime Minister's policy of oil nationalism and his capability to rule. Secondly, Iran could not import consumer and industrial goods necessary for maintaining the normal course of economic and social reproduction. Thirdly, a layer of the ruling class whose interests were the extension of the U.S.-U.K. domination over Iran's natural resources and political system, made every effort to turn the wheels back or make the political system unmanageable. As a result, during the first eight months of 1953, Iran was in constant political turmoil and the ground was being prepared for a coup d'etat by the forces hostile to Iran’s nationalization plan, as well as to its independent direction in its domestic and foreign policies.

The U.S.-U.K. intelligence services under the covers of their diplomatic corps took advantage of the chaotic atmosphere, artfully promoted by the landed aristocracy and their spokesmen in the national congress and Mossadegh's administration. Iranian society in the early 50's was basically agrarian and hence a great majority, up to 65 percent were engaged in farming and played a miniscule role in shaping national policies. In a few large cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kerman, Abadan and Shiraz, the politically active population was led by several political and ideological groupings. Among them the Tudeh Party that had organized a fraction of the workers, women and the intelligentsia under the banner of socialist ideals was a modern party merely in its infancy. The organizers of the Tudeh Party were Iranian intellectuals who were educated mainly in Western Europe, where the communist parties were strong during and after WWII, and the Soviet Union's army had effectively defeated the Nazi forces in Russia and Eastern Europe.

This party lacked experience and suffered from lack of deep understanding of the character of Iran’s social-economic development, the corresponding class forces and the necessary strategy for transition from a semi-feudal and a semi-colonial society to an independent and democratic social order. Although from the viewpoint of social justice, the Tudeh Party put the working class demands forward and achieved some successes, but in respect to the vital question of nationalization of the Iranian oil industry and the essentiality of forming a united front of working class and the national bourgeoisie which Mossadegh was the representative, the Tudeh did not seize the opportunity of uniting in time to prevent the success of the U.S. coup of 1953.

Ironically, this could be a useful lesson to be learned by all those Iranian groups today that wear the mantle of modernism and progress; however, in the recent unrest they joined the crowd whose aim was to overthrow the legitimate and democratically-elected government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Such association between pro-working class groups and counter-revolutionaries within the "Green Movement" makes some charges by the conservative elements against the "Marxists" and "Socialists" seem credible.

Tremors From Within

The second political grouping that associated itself with Dr. Mossadegh and his foreign policy was an amorphous amalgamation of individuals, tendencies and parties in a broad forum of what was known as the "National Front" of Iran. This conglomeration of loose political groupings represented mainly the interests of the merchant class that viewed the socialist movement and the Soviet Union as a "communist" neighbor with apprehension. In the camp of Mossadegh, in addition to the middle merchants, retailers, artisans, younger intellectuals and students who supported nationalization of Iran’s oil industry and hence Mossadegh's premiership against the Shah's despotism, there were big landlords, rentier strata, speculators, big businessmen, particularly in the import-export sector, and the families of the aristocracy and high echelons of clerics who hand-in-glove conspired to undermine the nationalization of oil movement.

The political organizations that made up the National Front headed by Dr. Mossadegh were: Iran party, Pan-Iranist Party of Nation of Iran, Islamic Mojahedin Party, and Toiling Masses Party of Iran. The leaders of some of the organizations served as representatives in the Iranian Parliament and spokesmen of Mossadegh’s Cabinet. In this group, representatives Shams Ghanatabadi, Abdol-ghadir Azad, Mozafar Baghaee, Hassan Imami, the leader of the House, actively opposed Dr. Mossadegh's plan for nationalization and hand-in-glove collaborated with the agents of foreign powers in undermining the national security and government stability from within the system. Before the final attack against the government of Dr. Mossadegh, on August 19, 1953, the U.S.-U.K. axis with the support of the domestic military and civil agents of foreign powers carried out several "mini-coups" that were neutralized by the great support of the Iranian people.

Patriotic Forces on Guard

Today, 57 years later, Iran faces almost the same dilemma in which the imperialist forces are planning to undermine Iran's political and economic system, using the UN sanctions, while the well-to-do classes frightened by President Ahmadinejad's pro-working class and national independence policies, are engaged in activities aimed at fostering insecurity domestically and weakening Iran's position internationally. The unceremonious role of this segment of the population led partly by the "reformists", is in fact preparing the ground to enhance U.S. influence in Iran, strengthen its supremacy in the Middle East region and change the balance of forces in Central and East Asia. The leadership of this "movement" attempted to use the tenth presidential election as a stepping stone to seize state power by slandering the result of the election, in which President Ahmadinejad with 63% of the votes defeated the reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi.

But here is where similarities between Mossadegh's period and today's situation under Ahmadinejad ends and important differences begin. In sharp contrast to the liberal government of Dr. Mossadegh, President Ahmadinejad's government is an outcome of a revolution. Secondly, Iran is much more developed in comparison and the U.S. in the last 30 years has not been able to bring down Iran's social-economic system and lastly, but not the least important, the Islamic Republic's security forces are the result of the revolution and are trained, equipped and ideologically armed by the world outlook of the Islamic leaders, while the Shah's military forces were trained by the colonial and imperialist powers and were at the service of the monarchy allied with foreign interests. Finally, the economic sanctions of the West have been to some extent derailed by China and Russia that have lost their potency in undermining the Iranian economy.

AUTHOR
Ardeshir Ommani is an Iranian-born writer and an activist in the U.S. anti-war and anti-imperialist struggle for over 40 years, including against the Vietnam War, and now the Iraq war. During the past seven years, he has participated in the U.S. peace movement, working to promote dialogue and peace among nations and to prevent a U.S.-spurred war on Iran. He holds two Masters Degrees: one in Political Economy and another in Mathematics Education. Co-founder of the American Iranian Friendship Committee, (AIFC), he writes articles of analysis on Iran-U.S. relations, the U.S. economy and has translated articles and books from English into Farsi, the Persian language.

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more from Ardeshir Ommani
 
vildemose

This must be a

by vildemose on

This must be a satire..Thanks for the comic relief.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

The danger

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Is that people like Mr Ommani proclaim themselves as "Iran Experts". Then fill the gullible Westerner's ears with nonsense about Iran. This is where we must have a loud and united voice. It is interesting to see the chatter volume on IRR apology go way up now. 

We have Leverett and Mann on one hand and Ommani and others on the other side This is a concerted effort to minimize and side line the Greens. It is imparative on us to not keep quite. We must write and make it clear these do not speak for Iranians.

PS,

Our English may not be as perfect as some but our points are valid. This is one more thing we can do. The change requires Iranians in diaspora and back home.


femanie

Another Toodeie

by femanie on

I believe you should have been exiled in Russia which best fits you.

Long live Iran and Iranians. Waite and see that like your socialist party, this fascist regime will disappear soon.


R2-D2

Dear Mr. Ommani

by R2-D2 on

I have to say, respectfully, that I am totally and completely appalled by your drawing parrallels between the great man of our beloved Iran's century past, Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq, and this illegitimate and unworthy creature that we call Mahmoud Ahmadinejad!

Please Sir, if you want the masses of freedom-loving Iranians to take you seriously, Do Not go on that route! By doing so, you have already undermined your credibility!

Sincerely,

A Freedom-Loving Iranian

 

 


MM

other comparisons (masoud, VPK,....) are more relevant

by MM on

Dear Ardeshir,

While you have the freedom to give AN a positive spin , fortunately, we live where the opposition is able to give a counter-point and I think you have heard it already from masoud, VPK, CoP, ......., unanimously.

Nonetheless, this article can go on your resume which will land you a cushy job back in Iran, especially if you know AN.


hamsade ghadimi

the ones with half a brain

by hamsade ghadimi on

the ones with half a brain may not believe it, but they will repeat it.  mark my words, they will show up on this thread soon. :)


rpRoshan

What do you call...

by rpRoshan on

one thousand leftist loons like this "anti-imperialist" twit under the sea?

A very good start.

NO ONE, with half a brain believes your garbage, I hope you know this, pal.


babak pirouzian

Why did you delete my message? I have the same rights as Ommani

by babak pirouzian on

YOUR RECENT ARTICLES ALL ARE TOTALLY AGAINST THE WISHES OF FREEDOM LOVERS, SECULAR IRANIAN PEOPLE AND YOU ARE OPENLY SUPPORTING A  FASCIST, MORON, HULLUCINATOR, SUFFOCATOR, SUPERSTICIOUS, PRISON WARD OF 70 MILLION PEOPLE.  IF YOU ARE ANTI IMPERIALIST/USA, FOR THE SAKE OF FREE SPEECH, FREE EXPRESSION I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELING, EVENTHOUGH I DO NOT SHARE YOUR MISGUIDED, RETARDED VENEMOUSE VALUES,  BUT BEING AGAINST WISHES OF IRANIAN PEOPLE, YOUR OWN PEOPLE, YOUR OWN COUNTRY ? SHAME ON YOU AND THOSE WHO BROUGHT YOU UP INCLUDING YOUR PROFESSORS WHO GAVE YOU PASS MARKS. YOU ARE THE TYPE, IF PERMITTED, WOULD GO HOME AND TAKE A 'CHOMAG' AND MIGHT AS WELL,  ALONG WITH OTHER REGIME THUGS ATTACK INNOCENT IRANIAN PEOPLE ON 22 BAHMAN.    COMPARING MOSSADEGH WITH A.N. IS AS YOU MAY COMPARE A SAVAGE, BRUTAL , MORON, STUPID, MANIPULATOR, HYPOCRIT, ANIMAL WITH A SAINT. SOONER OR LATER, REST ASSURED YOUR  TIME AND YOUR BELOVEED REGIME'S TIME IS NUMBERED. YOUR NEXT LIVING PLACE WOULD BE NORTH KOREA IF THEY LET YOU

Masoud Kazemzadeh

Mossadegh vs. Ahmadinejad

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on

Mossadegh = democrat
Ahmadinejad = brutal tyrant

Mossadegh = liberal
Ahmadinejad = reactionary

Mossadegh = progressive
Ahmadinejad = fascistic

Mossadegh = secular
Ahmadinejad = fundamentalist

Mossadegh = freedom of the press
Ahmadinejad = repression of the press

Mossadegh = free election
Ahmadinejad = fraudulent counting in anti-democratic pseudo-election candidates pre-selected by the fundamentalist Council of Guardians

Mossadegh = non-violent
Ahmadinejad = chomaghdar, violent, rape of male and female political prisoners

Mossadegh = supported democracy
Ahmadinejad = suppresses and represses democracy

Mossadegh = defended women’s rights
Ahmadinejad = suppresses women’s rights

Mossadegh = opposed discrimination against religious minorities
Ahmadinejad = oppressors of religious minorities

Mossadegh = foreign policy based on defending Iran’s national interests
Ahmadinejad = jihadi foreign policy similar to Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda

Mossadegh = pro-peace
Ahmadinejad = bellicose, warmonger, terrorist

=====================================

FATAL ATTRACTIONS

The opposition groups regard the fundamentalist regime to be among the most repressive, brutal, reactionary, and misogynist regimes in the world. Many have categorized it as a form of fascism. A few months after the revolution, Ali Asghar Hajj Sayyed Javadi published a series of newspaper articles criticizing the new system as fascistic. These articles were soon published as a pamphlet titled Az sedaye paye Fashism ta ghoole Fashism ke dar hale tassalot bar sarasar-e Iran ast [From Early Steps of Fascism to the Specter of Fascism That Is in the Process of Taking Over All of Iran]. Hajj Seyyed Javadi was one of Iran's most respected and courageous intellectuals and Iran's most prominent social democrat who had played a prominent role in the anti-shah revolution. Soon he had to go underground and then into exile when the fundamentalist forces were able to crush liberal and leftist forces that had participated in the revolution >>> Full text


Fariba Amini

NO WAY!!!

by Fariba Amini on

Terrible comparison..  Mohammad Mossadegh was a democrat, believed in the rule of law and was a believer of non-violence. He defended his nation.  He believed in the seperation of State and Religion. He was a lawyer and a highly educated man.

Ahmadi Nejad is a crook , a wolf in sheep skin. He has no notion about the rule of law, about economy, the world.  He sees halos! He is a preacher who does not even practice what he says.

Please, you are insulting PM Mossadegh and re-writing history.


Cost-of-Progress

The Imperialists' Free Press and the Associated Irony

by Cost-of-Progress on

Isn't it grand for you to be able to write about your anti-imperialist "cause" while living in an imperialist country enjoying imperialistic standard of living?

I am sure those young Iranians on the streets of Iran whose blood will pave the way for their freedom from this tyrannical regime will appreciate your hard work.

___________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Some people never learn from history

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

There is so much nonsense in the article I don't know where to start! I thought the left had learned something after 30 years of misery for Iranian people.

however, in the recent unrest they joined the crowd whose aim was to overthrow the legitimate and democratically-elected government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

You think AH was elected "democratically"? With all the candidates pre-approved by VF? Then with massive vote fraud? 

Such association between pro-working class groups and counter-revolutionaries within the "Green Movement" makes some charges by the conservative elements against the "Marxists" and "Socialists"
seem credible.

What is a counter-revolutionary? Someone who is sick of being raped by IRR? Just the jargon sounds right out of the Soviet times Pravda. Most of the people wanting change are simply sane people who don't want to die for the "anti-imperialist" cause. They want to live normal lives. 

Iran faces almost the same dilemma in which the imperialist forces are planning to undermine Iran's political and economic system, using the UN sanctions,

The only ones who are undermining Iran are your darling IRR leaders. Who shipped billions of dollars out of Iran and got caught in Turkey? Why is IRR sending Iran's money to Hizbollah and Hamas? 

while the well-to-do classes frightened by President
Ahmadinejad's pro-working class and national independence policies, are engaged in activities aimed at fostering insecurity domestically and weakening Iran's position internationally.

Class warfare is an old Marxist trick. AH is not pro-working people. He is a religious fanatic. He wants Madi to pop out of a well! That is not being pro-working class. Being pro working class does not mean raping and hanging them. Besides AH is doing a great job weakening Iran by himself.

Sir, the anti-imperialist "cause" is your cause not that of Iranian people. Why don't you go and fight for your cause? You left wingers will "fight to the last drop of Iranian blood". Then go back to your "intellectual" BS pretending to be so high and mighty.

One last question: Why do you live in the evil imperialist West? Is the West good for you but Iranians have to live in misery to prove your point? How many Iranians have to die and how long should they suffer for your "anti-imperialist" cause?