In 1953, the CIA overthrew Iran's democratically elected prime minister and installed a dictator who tortured dissidents for 25 years. That single act created 70 years of blowback that leads directly to Operation Epic Fury.

This episode covers:

- Operation TPAJAX: how the CIA and MI6 orchestrated the coup

- The Shah's secret police (SAVAK) and 25 years of repression

- Why every Iranian leader since 1979 references this event

- The CIA's 2013 official acknowledgment

- How the coup connects to the war you're watching right now

Part of the Iran War Report Context Series — 8 episodes covering the full history behind the US-Iran conflict.

No spin. No sides. Just signal.