30th Tir Uprising and Its lessons

30th Tir on the Iranian calendar or July 22 1952 is one of the most important days in Iran’s modern history being tied very closely with Iran’s oil industry developments and Iranian nation’s efforts on the way of oil nationalization.
What is called 30th Tir uprising is considered in Iran’s history as continuation of Iranian nation’s struggle to maintain its oil reserves as a national asset for the next generations.
30th Tir uprising was a reaction against removal of Dr. Mohammad Mossadeqh then prime minister and the leader of oil nationalization movement from power and appointing Ahmad Qavam as prime minister by collaboration between Mohammad Reza Shah and Majlis.
the uprising came after Mohammad Mossadeqh’s resignation who did so due to Shah and Court opposition to give him more power to run the country during those emergency days of the nationalization.
On 16 July 1952, during the royal approval of his new cabinet, Mosaddegh insisted on the constitutional prerogative of the Prime Minister to name a Minister of War and the Chief of Staff, something the Shah had done hitherto.
The Shah refused, and Mosaddegh announced his resignation appealing directly to the public for support, pronouncing that "in the present situation, the struggle started by the Iranian people cannot be brought to a victorious conclusion".
Mosaddegh resigned and Ahmad Qavam (also known as Ghavamossaltaneh) was presented to Majlis as the new Prime Minister on July, 18, 1952.  
At this time, the opposition who thought they have a very good opportunity to remove  Mosaddeqh from power decided to choose Ahmad Qavam as prime minister. Following this development the National Assembly (Majlis) voted in favor of Qavam as prime minister and Shah signed a decree announcing him as new prime minister.
As soon as he took power as prime minister, Qavam issued a threatening declaration announcing his plan for reversing Mosaddeqh policies and  running the country based on new arrangements. Fortunately, the nation’s uprising during the days leading to 30th Tir forced the opponents of nationalization movement to retreat.

The coordination between the leaders of the uprising, ordinary people, Bazzar and universities helped the uprising to succeed in bringing Mohammad Mossadeq back to power, a resistance force which unfortunately did not materialized in other occasions leading to the overthrow of Dr. Mossadegh’s legal government.
The 30th Tir uprising and its consequences has a very clear lesson for those who are interested in safeguarding the national interests and the nation’s assets. The uprising thought us the necessity of being united and coordinated during the tough days of resistance against illegitimate demands of foreign powers. Otherwise, it will result in events that will destroy all the achievements when expressing regrets no longer will be useful.
By: Mehrdad Alamdari