The True Story of the CIA Coup in Iran and the Islamic Revolution (Video)

In this 11 March 2026 published video, host John Papola talks about the true story of the CIA coup in Iran.

For years, Papola believed the story that in 1953 the CIA overthrew Mohammad Mosaddegh, the democratically elected leader of Iran, and “installed” the Shah. Ron Paul argued in a 2007 presidential debate that the alleged coup led to the Islamic Revolution and the Iran hostage crisis, leaving a lasting impact on Papola’s foreign policy views. President Obama even publicly apologized for Operation Ajax in a 2009 speech. Then Papola learned that the story was mostly untrue.