7. General Zahedi seeks Shah’s support to overthrow Mossadeq

Minister of Court Ala [Hossein Ala] told Ambassador Henderson [Loy W. Henderson] on 30 March that it is generally agreed that Mossadeq must be removed in the near future and that retired General Zahedi [Fazlollah Zahedi] is the only available replacement. Zahedi would be supported by Mullah Kashani [Ayatollah Seyed Abolghasem Kashani] and other conservative elements within the Majlis and the army.

Zahedi has visited Ala secretly and has indicated that he would accept the premiership only if the Shah supported him. Ala told Zahedi that the Shah would not act “unconstitutionally” or take part in a coup. The Minister of Court said, however, that he will try to persuade the Shah to make [a speech] to the Majlis, which meets on 5 April a statement condemning Mossadeq.

Comment: Recent reports have indicated that Zahedi and others are planning a military coup. Henderson’s report suggests that they may be willing to try to remove Mossadeq by parliamentary means rather than by armed action.

The Shah still remains the key factor. His inability to make up his mind to take even constitutional action against Mossadeq, however, will discourage Zahedi and his apparently sizeable following.