Officially, sure. But the CIA was masterminding all sort of covert actions up to and including overthrowing or propping up governments:

1949: Syria
1953: Iran
1963: Iraq
1973: Iraq (failed)
1979: Iran (prop, failed)
1979: Afghanistan

Not to mention the support of Israel (both moral and with arms) during its numerous invasions of other countries.

Regardless of whether or not it was official, it was well known to everyone over there.