CIA agents successfully executed a plan for regime change in Iran in 1953 – but Trump hasn’t revealed any signs of a plan

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by Gregory F. Treverton, Professor of Practice in International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
March 3, 2026
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4 min read

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Unlike the 1953 CIA regime change in Iran, Trump's current bombing campaign lacks a clear strategy.

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The article highlights that while the 1953 CIA-orchestrated regime change in Iran was a carefully planned covert operation, the Trump administration's recent bombing campaign against Iran lacks a clear strategy for achieving its stated goal of regime change. The 1953 intervention relied on propaganda, false flag operations, and influencing religious leaders, rather than military force, to oust Prime Minister Mossadegh. In contrast, current actions are described as "bomb and hope," raising questions about their effectiveness. This comparison underscores the historical precedent for regime change efforts in Iran and the potential pitfalls of an undefined approach.

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