Word: tudeh
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IRAN (pop. 18,381,000): Head of state: SHAH MOHAMED, 31. Premier: MOHAMMED MOSSADEQ. Only large organized political party: the Tudeh (Masses, i.e., Communists). Army: 145,000 men, outdated equipment. Main issue...
That evening, the Communist-led Tudeh party struck in Teheran. The success of the Harriman mission would arrest Iran's march to chaos and kill the Reds' chance of taking power in a bankrupt country. Ten thousand demonstrators, shouting about "Harriman, warmonger" and "Rapacious American imperialists," rushed toward Majlis Square...
Premier Mossadeq's right-wing National Frontists heckled the Reds and fists began to fly. When the police moved in to protect the Frontists, the Tudeh retaliated with bricks. Four light army tanks rumbled forward; police on trucks and horseback rushed in, flailed the rioters with sabers; there were shots. The Tudeh raised their dead to their shoulders to show them off as martyrs, and fell back. In half an hour, hundreds were wounded, several were killed, and Majlis Square was clear...
Next morning, police and steel-helmeted soldiers bearing fixed bayonets raided Tudeh headquarters, closed down two pro-Communist newspapers, and the government clamped martial law on Teheran. Tudeh leaders vanished. Harriman called on Premier Mohamed Mossadeq, talked for 70 minutes, made plans for a second meeting. For the moment, the Tudeh had been held. Teheran, tensely quiet, waited for the Harriman miracle...
...British plan to teach Iran a lesson was equally chancy. While the economic chaos following Abadan's shutdown might force Iran's government to terms, the chaos would just as easily give the Tudeh the opening it was alerted...