Background
| Year | Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | Mohammed Mosaddeq opposes coronation of Reza Shah. | Establishing a reputation for integrity. | |
| 1930s | Mosaddeq is hounded from public life by the powerful Reza Shah. | ||
| 1941 | Reza Shah deposed during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran and his son Mohammad Reza Shah is placed on the throne | Mosaddeq re-emerges as a popular hero. | |
| 1946–1949 | The National Front, a coalition of parties and groups comes together with the goal of moving Iran's oil resources from British to Iranian control. Mosaddeq emerges in the leadership. | Marks the arrival in Iranian politics of an organized and sophisticated bloc opposed to British control of Iranian resources. | |
| 1946 | March | Oil workers at Abadan strike for better housing, decent health care and enforcement of Iranian labor laws. British management brings in Arab and tribal strike breakers. | Raises awareness of workers' plight and British high handedness. |
| 1949 | May | Supplemental oil agreement offer by the British - guarantees royalty payments by AIOC "would not drop below 4 million pounds", a reduced area in which it would be allowed to drill, and a promise that more Iranians would be trained for administrative positions." But gives no "greater voice in company's management" or right to audit the company books. Prime Minister tries to dicker with AIOC chairman, but chairman Fraser "dismisses him" and flies back to UK. | Arrogance of AIOC increases popular support for nationalization. |
| 1950 | Summer | New American ambassador Henry Grady arrives in Iran to a greeting of protests by thousands of Iranians. Several protesters are killed. Grady is unknown in Iran but serves as a supporter of Mosaddeq over the UK during the crisis. | Example of anti-Western and heavily politicized atmosphere at the time. |
| 1950 | Summer | General Haj Ali Razmara becomes prime minister. | Favorite of British, PM opposes nationalization. |
| 1950 | November 25 | Supplemental Agreement rejected unanimously as inadequate by Mosaddeq-chaired parliamentary commission. | Nationalization gains further momentum. |
| 1950 | December, late | Word reaches Tehran of the Arabian American Oil Company deal to share profits with Saudis on a 50-50 basis. UK Foreign Office rejects idea of following suit. (p. 76-7). | Makes Supplemental Agreement look even worse to Iranians. |
| 1951 | January | Huge rally in Tehran to launch campaign to force nationalization of Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. National Front politicians are succeeded at the podium by a parade of mullahs issuing fatwas ordering support by Muslims for nationalization. | |
| 1951 | March 3 | Razmara appears before majlis oil committee warning of illegality of nationalization, of the unpredictability of British retaliation, and of the potential devastation to Iran's economy from retaliation. | |
| 1951 | March 7 | Prime Minister Razmara assassinated by Fadayan-e Islam. Majlis rejects Shah's choice for successor and three weeks later votes for Hussein `Ala as new PM. | Openness of Fadayan-e Islam and lack of any public sympathy for Rezmara intimidates politicians who oppose nationalization. |
| 1951 | March 15–20 | Vote for nationalization of oil industry by Majlis and then Senate. | |
| 1951 | early April | Strikes and riots led by the communist Tudeh party protesting low wages and bad housing in oil industry and delays in nationalizing the oil industry. "Street demonstrations and sympathy strikes in Tehran, Isfahan, and the northern cities." Police in Abadan open fire, killing six workers. Britain sends gunboats "to protect British lives and property." | Mossadeq offered the premiership so that he could implement the nationalization law. |
Read more about this topic: Abadan Crisis Timeline
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