| In 1951, under the direction of Iranian Premier Mohammed Mossadegh, the Iranian government nationalized the Iranian oil industry (previously owned by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company). The British appealed to the International Court of Justice, which ruled in favor of Britain. Throughout 1952, the dispute between Britain and Iran raged. In 1953, Mossadegh began targeting rich Iranians for not paying taxes. Mossadegh also targeted the Royal Family. On August 16th, after trying to oust Mossadegh, the Shah was forced to flee. He was returned to power six days later, after the army rose up against Mossadegh, with the help of the U.S. and British intelligence services. |
