Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2025

Degree Type

Honors Thesis

Major

International Studies

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

International Studies

First Advisor

Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

Abstract

This thesis examines how major United States newspapers framed the 1953 Iranian Coup, which overthrew democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. During the Cold War, the U.S. frequently violated international law, infringing on the sovereignty of foreign nations by orchestrating coups under the guise of combating communist threats to protect strategic interests. The 1953 CIA-backed coup in Iran followed this pattern. This research examines how U.S. media shaped public perception to justify intervention, focusing on the question: What does the framing of the 1953 Iranian Coup d’État in U.S. print media reveal about U.S. interests and their influence on media coverage? Analyzing 20 articles from The New York Times and The Washington Post (1950–1954), this study identifies four framing categories: communism, oil nationalization, threat, and overthrow. Employing a hybrid methodology based on framing theories by Erving Goffman, Robert M. Entman, Zhongdang Pan, and Gerald M. Kosicki, the thesis explores how U.S. media portrayed Mossadegh as a destabilizing figure whose nationalist policies, specifically oil nationalization, jeopardized Western interests. By emphasizing themes of communism and authoritarianism, the media delegitimized Mossadegh, conditioned American readers to support his removal, and framed the coup as necessary to maintain regional stability. The findings underscore the significance of media framing in constructing narratives that align with governmental objectives. This thesis offers critical insights into the profound impact of media framing in international affairs and the lasting repercussions of the 1953 Coup, contributing to the rise of Iran’s theocratic regime and present day U.S.-Iran tensions.

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