Now Streaming
Learn how Queen Elizabeth II was deployed in a plot to overthrow Iran’s last democracy.
February 1953: the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Little does she know she is about to be deployed in a secret plot to topple Iran’s democratic leader in favor of an all-powerful Shah. Planned by MI6 and executed by the C.I.A., the coup that follows destroys relations between Iran and the West. Using newly declassified documents this film unravels this secret for the first time.
February 1953: the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Little does she know she is about to be deployed in a secret plot to topple Iran’s democratic leader in favor of an all-powerful Shah. Planned by MI6 and executed by the C.I.A., the coup that follows destroys relations between Iran and the West. Using newly declassified documents this film unravels this secret for the first time.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Photos from The Queen and the Coup
1/12
Shah Reza Pahlevi of Iran and his wife, Princess Fawzia of Egypt.
Getty Images
2/12
Queen Elizabeth II's official coronation portrait, 1953.
Getty Images
3/12
The Shah Reza Pahlevi of Iran, circa 1950s
Getty Images
4/12
Reza Pahlavi, 1950s
Alamy
5/12
Loy Henderson, 1955
Truman Library/Public Domain
6/12
Mohammed Reza Phalevi,1954
Getty Images
7/12
Mohammad Mossadegh
Alamy
8/12
Professor Richard Aldrich in the archives at Warwick University.
Brave New Media
9/12
Professor Rory Cormac in the archives at Warwick University.
Brave New Media
10/12
Professor Scott Lucas
Brave New Media
11/12
Mehrdad Khonsari
Brave New Media
12/12
Farrokh Neghadar
Brave New Media
About the Film
It’s February 1953 – the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Little does Her Majesty know she is about to be deployed in a U.S. plot to topple Iran’s last democratic leader in favor of an all-powerful Shah.
Planned by Britain’s MI6 and then executed by America’s C.I.A., the coup d’état which follows will destroy Iran’s last democracy, and relations between Iran and the West until the present day. Most shocking of all, the truth about Her Majesty’s role will be hidden from the Queen herself, and even the all-powerful Shah who will be used by Britain and American to replace Iran’s last democratic Prime Minister. The coup will lead to political upheaval all over the Middle East for decades to come, eventually resulting in the Islamic Revolution of 1979 which will end the reign of the Shah, and British and American influence in Iran, inspiring countless other Islamist revolutions around the world.
Support for PBS.org provided by: