A strategic step to collapse the Iranian government in April 1953

The British agents' movement against the Iranian government was started seriously after nationalization of oil on March 20, 1951/Esfand 29, 1329 in Iran. Their continuous plan and action to bring down Dr.Mohammad Mosaddeq's government was invariably confirmed. Although they took several actions to remove him from power, however, they failed even in their plan to assassinate him on February 28,1953/Esfand 9, 1331. The present study investigates one of the British plots, to murder General Maḥmūd Afshār Ṭūs, Police Chief, with the intention of making Mosaddeq’s government powerless. Qualitative approach has been applied to achieve the stated aim of this article. Documents from Public Record Office, United Kingdom, are the main primary sources used to manifest this contentious issue. This turn of event brought about nervous, insecurity, internal oppositions and counter-opposition by different groups inside Iran. To conclude, it highlights that the purpose of that assassination was to spread negative propaganda - inefficiency of Mosaddeq's government. It thus reveals that the plotters could obtain a substantial excuse for their further disturbance in order to convince the people in their plan to change Mosaddeq’s government