The
1950s were a turbulent time on both sides of the Iron Curtain. With
the Second World War over and the star role played by crude oil in
its outcome, British and U.S. intelligence agencies wasted no time
working out scenarios should the Soviets invade the Middle East.
In
hindsight, especially to younger generations, this might seem
eccentric, but not to those who remember the Cold War and the
paranoia that raged on both sides. In the 50s, the British and U.S.
intelligence services were genuinely concerned about a further Soviet
expansion, into the Middle East, which at the time was the main
source of crude oil for both countries. No wonder the region was a
priority security issue for both countries.
The
plans were first hatched by U.S. President Truman in 1949, Russian
Sputnik writes, citing a number of recently declassified documents
from both the UK and the United States.
[...]
There
were discussions with U.S. intelligence and military authorities on
the joint use of nuclear strikes on government-controlled refineries
in Iraq and Iran, but there are no documents declassified that state
which nuclear plan was eventually approved. In any case, American
nuclear strikes on Iranian oil facilities were deemed “the only
feasible means of oil denial” for Iran, despite the pro-Western
shah.
Full
report:
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