The Trial of Mohammad Mossadegh

The legacy of the trial is profound. It serves as a historical marker for the end of Iran’s brief experiment with a vibrant parliamentary democracy. The coup and subsequent trial cemented the Shah's autocratic rule and his pro-Western policies for the next 25 years. By dismantling a popular, nationalist government and punishing its leader, the Shah created a deep sense of national grievance that would eventually fuel the Islamic Revolution of 1979.