My point is that any Americans claiming moral legitimacy for these actions due to human rights considerations should give us all a break.

And are you really claiming the CIA was not involved in instigating a coup to bring in the Shah?

I know someone whose clan was involved (still were when I last talked to him, before the US left Afghanistan). Of course the CIA/MI6 used local support, but they did have an impact on when, who and how. And on the power structure from 53 onwards.