The West Has Long Characterized Iran’s Oil As A Prize To Be Claimed - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica examines the historical and geopolitical significance of Iran’s oil reserves, emphasizing how Western powers, particularly Britain, have long viewed Iranian oil as a strategic prize to be claimed. The focus is partly prompted by recent tensions in the Persian Gulf, a critical chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, raising fears of conflict and disruption to global energy supplies. Beyond the immediate geopolitical concerns, the article delves into the early 20th-century discovery of oil in Iran’s Zagros Mountains, which transformed the region and became central to British imperial strategy. The Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later BP) was established to exploit these oilfields, constructing extensive infrastructure including pipelines and the massive Abadan refinery, which remains Iran’s largest. Iranian oil quickly became vital to Britain’s military and industrial power, especially as the Royal Navy transitioned to oil fuel under Winston Churchill’s leadership. The article also explores how BP shaped Western perceptions of Iran and its oil through