Iran and Britain

What was the relationship between Iran and Britain.

At the start of the twentieth century Britain controlled Iranian oil, but nationalist opposition to this grew.

What role did Britain play in Iran's oil industry?

Britain controlled Iran's oil through the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and built drilling facilities, pipelines and oil refineries. However, many Iranians saw this as the theft of their resources.

What did Britain do in response to Iranian nationalisation of the oil industry?

Britain responded in 5 ways to the Iranian nationalisation of the oil industry.

• ❖ It withdrew its workers and refused to let any of its employees work with the Iranian National Oil Company.
• ❖ The British Royal Navy blockaded Iran's ports.
• ❖ Britain persuaded other countries not to buy Iranian oil.
• ❖ Britain persuaded the USA to support it by playing on the American fear of communism and Iran's lengthy border with the USSR.
• ❖ The Americans and the British pressured the Shah to overthrow Mossadeq. He was put on trial and imprisoned.

What were the results of Iran's defeat against Britain and America?

There were 5 important outcomes of Mossadeq's defeat.

• ❖ Working with the Shah, Britain and America sought to extend their influence over Iran after Mossadeq's arrest in 1953.
• ❖ Britain agreed to restart oil production in return for 40% of Iran's oil profits.
• ❖ The Shah signed a treaty with the USA in 1955, and became very close to the West, with its culture and trade.
• ❖ The Shah joined an anti-communist alliance with Britain, Turkey and Iraq in 1956.
• ❖ Inequality in Iran grew as some Iranians grew rich from oil profits, but the peasant majority remained very poor.