The Shah issued a decree dismissing Mosaddegh and appointing General Fazlollah Zahedi as prime minister, but the plan initially collapsed. The Shah fled, first going to Baghdad and then to Rome. The political situation changed dramatically over the following days. On August 19, large demonstrations and street mobilization took place in Tehran. Pro-Shah forces, military units, political activists, and street groups became involved. Eventually, military forces moved decisively against Mosaddegh’s government. His residence was attacked, and the government collapsed.
General Zahedi subsequently became prime minister, while the Shah returned to gradually consolidated his authority. It is at this point that Shaban Jafari’s name became deeply associated with the events of August 1953. Popular accounts have frequently portrayed him as one of the principal street leaders mobilized in support of the Shah.
