What did the Americans and the British do to the Iranains to cause so much resentment?
nytimes: Key Events in the 1953 Coup Key Events in the 1953 Coup
✓ World War II ends. Iran becomes a target of both pro-Western and pro-Soviet forces with regard to the country’s vast oil reserves.
✓ Feb. 5, 1949: Ruler of Iran Is Wounded Slightly by Two Bullets Fired by Assassin
✓ June 1950: General Ali Razmara becomes prime minister of Iran. Support grows for the nationalization of Iran’s oil industry.
✓ March 1951: Prime Minister Ali Razmara is assassinated. Nationalist Mohammed Mossadegh becomes prime minister and angers the British by wresting control of the oil industry.
✓ July 17, 1952: Due to growing friction between the shah and Mossadegh over oil, Mossadegh resigns. Ahmed Ghavam takes over as prime minister. Three days of rioting ensue.
✓ July 22, 1952: Under pressure, the Shah is forced to reappoint Mossadegh.
✓ March 1953: The C.I.A. begins drafting a plan to bring to power, through covert action, a government in Iran that would be preferred by the United States.