Tehran on the verge of collapse; the last day before the coup of August 19.

On August 18, 1953, Tehran smelled of gunpowder. Everyone knew something was coming, but they didn't know exactly what.

Mossadegh was still in power, but military forces were gradually gathering in the streets. Newspapers had either fallen silent or were running vague headlines. People gathered in cafes and squares, whispering: "What will happen tomorrow?"

That day was the last day it was still possible to hope that the law would prevail. The last day Mossadegh was still in his house giving orders.

The last day before everything changed. Tomorrow, August 19, tanks would pour into the streets and Mossadegh's government would fall. But August 18 was the day of ambiguity. The last day of a legitimate government's life.