 In the aftermath of the 1953 "coup", the National Front was outlawed and its highest-ranking leaders arrested and brought before a military court.The military "coup" established Mohammad Reza Shah as the supreme ruler of Iran, although nominal power was held by Prime Minister Fazlollah Zahedi (who was paid by the CIA to help overthrow Mossadegh and strengthen the power of the monarchy).In an atmosphere of police repression, several former members of the National Front (mostly low-ranking leaders) established an underground network called the National Resistance Movement.