Iran’s oil – a blessing or a curse?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Huge crowds, numbering in the millions, filled streets in more than 3,000 American cities on Saturday, March 28. Rallying under the banner “No Kings”, protesters denounced President Trump’s policies on Iran, the cost of living, immigration enforcement and broader concerns about executive overreach. Similar anti-Trump demonstrations were reported in Canada and several European countries.

At the same time, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) met in Dallas, expressing strong support for President Trump’s strike on Tehran. Among the speakers was former Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who was endorsed by some attendees as a potential future leader of Iran. Largely missing from the discussion, however, were the circumstances that led to his father’s overthrow in 1979. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was forced to flee amid deep resentment of his autocratic rule, rapid Westernisation and widening social inequality.

The Ayatollah who replaced him was initially welcomed by many Iranians eager to end 2,500 years of Persian monarchy. Instead, Iran soon became a repressive theocracy that has sponsored instability and violence across the region. A brief historical reminder is therefore useful.

Iran’s modern history has been shaped by foreign control of its oil, first discovered in 1908 by British-led explorers. While Western dependence on oil remains, direct international control over Iran’s supply effectively ended with the 1979 revolution.

The Shah himself was installed in 1941 after British and Soviet forces deposed his father. Seen as more accommodating to foreign interests, he consolidated power over the following decades. In 1953, after Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh moved to nationalise the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, a CIA- and MI6-backed coup toppled the elected government. The Shah then ruled as an autocrat until his downfall in 1979.

Iranians, long subject to foreign intervention, may reasonably ask whether oil was a blessing — or a curse.

BERNIE SMITH

Canada