Event

National Security Council meetings on Iran, March 1953

Meetings of 4 and 11 March 1953 at which President Eisenhower and his advisers weighed what to do about Mossadegh.

3 links, 3 backed by primary records

Connections 3

Allen Dulles warned that a Communist takeover in Iran was a growing possibility, but that the crisis would likely be compromised without a Tudeh victory; said that while Mossadegh lived there was “but little danger” Primary record 1 2
Central Intelligence Agency the Council agreed to explore, among other courses, limited economic aid to strengthen Mossadegh’s position Primary record 2
Dwight D. Eisenhower on 11 March said a deal with Mossadegh might have grave effects on U.S. oil concessions elsewhere Primary record 3

Timeline 1 date

Proof 3 sources

Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Dulles to President Eisenhower, 1 March 1953 (FRUS Iran 1951–1954, doc. 169), U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, 1 Mar 1953. Primary record
a Communist takeover is becoming more and more of a possibility
However, even the present crisis is likely to be unsatisfactorily compromised without a Communist Tudeh victory.
Memorandum of Discussion at the 135th Meeting of the National Security Council, 4 March 1953 (FRUS Iran 1951–1954, doc. 171), U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, 4 Mar 1953. Primary record
As long as the latter lives there was but little danger
(4) Provision of limited economic aid to strengthen Mossadegh’s position.
Memorandum of Discussion at the 136th Meeting of the National Security Council, 11 March 1953 (FRUS Iran 1951–1954, doc. 176), U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, 11 Mar 1953. Primary record
the example might have very grave effects on United States oil concessions in other parts of the world.

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