In this Aug. 19, 1953 file photo, a royalist tank moves into the courtyard of Tehran Radio a few minutes after pro-shah troops occupied the place during the coup which ousted Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and his government (AP Photo, File)

Former foreign secretary David Owen told The Guardian on Tuesday that the time has come for the UK to officially recognize its role in deposing the democratically elected Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosadegh in 1953.

The operation to depose the leader was part of a joint mission conducted by the CIA and MI6.

The US divulged information on its role in the toppling of Mossadegh when it released 10 years ago declassified documents that revealed the UK partook in the operation.

While the US was more concerned with the fact that Mosadegh was an avid socialist, the UK was unsettled by the nationalization of the British oil company in Iran.

The joint US-UK operation was initially codenamed "Operation Boot" but was later renamed "Ajax."

David Owen, who was British foreign secretary from 1977 to 1979, told The Guardian: "There are good reasons for acknowledging the UK’s role with the US in 1953 in overthrowing democratic developments."

Shrouded with corruption, the Shah's regime later fell apart in 1979 and the Iranian revolution brought about the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"I made it clear to the Shah that his form of rule had to make way for democratic reforms, but I wish I had known of his serious illness and could have pressed him much earlier in 1978 to stay in Switzerland for medical treatment and let a more democratic government emerge in Iran," he added.