Secret CIA Memo (November 30, 1951)
| Arash Norouzi The Mossadegh Project | February 1, 2026 |
About half of this CIA report on an alleged “stormy” meeting lasting six hours between Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh was redacted.
CONFIDENTIAL
SECURITY INFORMATION
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
DATE DISTR. 30 November 1951
NO OF PAGES 1
COUNTRY Iran
SUBJECT Meeting between Shah and Prime Minister Mossadegh
[LARGE AREA REDACTED HERE]
The six-hour meeting, which took place between the Shah and Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh on 23 November 1951 immediately following the latter’s arrival from Egypt, is believed to have been a stormy one.
2. The Shah was overheard by those standing in the ante-chamber shouting in a loud voice: “This in unacceptable.” When Mossadegh walked out of the audience room, his face was flushed with anger and he refused to be photographed with
the Shah. 1,2
1. [Redacted word] Comment. There have been recurring rumors of the Shah’s displeasure with Mossadegh’s
visit to Egypt. It is also possible that the Shah, who heretofore has been intimidated by Mossadegh, has
mustered courage (or has been goaded by Majlis opposition leaders) to defy Mossadegh in view of the imminent elections in which the Shah hopes to secure a sympathetic Majlis.
2. [Short portion redacted here]
• “Place Acquired” and “Date of Info” was also excised. [Transcribed and annotated by Arash Norouzi]
• Declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency on May 22, 2000
Click here for PDF of original document.
Related links:
The Shah of Iran’s Speech Celebrating 1953 Coup Anniversary (Aug. 1959)
Our American Fidaiyan-Islam | The Anniston Star, Nov. 4, 1951
Mossadeq Continues Adamant on the Oil Dispute | CIA, Jan. 17, 1952
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”
