The Anglo-Iranian Oil Problem

Abstract

The Anglo-lranian Problem involved, among many others, the League of Nations and later its successor, the United Nations. Indicating Iran`s attempts at acquiring the most possible benefits from the main source of its economic life and British interests in maintaining the flow of oil under its operation for economic and strategic reasons. The Anglo-lranian oil case, had all the ingredients of a nationalist attempt for self assertion, due to Iran`s former association with big powers, while in appearance the question was referred to as an oil problem. The debate in the United Nations demonstrated British attempt to discuss the crisis, as a practical oil operation while Iran continuously referred to its right to assert national sovereigntyand to injustices. Both sides have discussed the Anglo-lran oil problem but with differing dimensions. Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh debated it as a nationalist leader while \n Sir Gladwyn Jebb discussed it as an oil executive. United Nations efforts were useful but in view of the positions and the attitude of the parties a settlement could not be effected through U. N. instrumentalities.