British Interest in Iran’s Oil: Prelude to Conflict

Abstract

Historical studies on the twentieth century indicate that Britain, as a significant world power, did much to rewrite history in the Middle East, especially Iran. Many authors have called attention to Iran’s geopolitical location and massive oil reserves as causes for regional quarrels that did not actually bring prosperity to Iranians but merely covered the royal family’s expenses. Other scholars hint at British intentions to reap oil benefits and practise hegemony at Iranian expense. Literature on the Iranian oil industry prior to its nationalisation indicates that the D’Arcy Concession of 1901—later named the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) in 1908 and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) in 1933—was intimately tied to Great Britain. When the oil was exploited by the Abadan refinery, British economic interests increased annually until early 1951, when the Majlis (Majlis-i Shūrā-yi Millī or parliament) unanimously voted to nationalise the industry under Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq (Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq’s name is spelled in this book according to Encyclopaedia Britannica; at: http://global.britannica.com/biography/Mohammad-Mosaddeq.), leader of the nationalist movement who was committed to re-establishing a democratic constitutional monarchy. The 70-years-old patriot and secular anti-imperialist nationalist was Iran’s prime minister (PM) from 28 April 1951 to 16 July 1952 and, after a nearly unanimous vote of the Majlis, from 21 July 1952 to 19 August 1953. Some Iranian scholars argue that his tenure at this critical juncture was a pivotal factor in Iran’s history.