Aug 14, 2025One major reason Mossadegh, during his premiership, was unwilling to resolve disputes with Britain was that the British insisted the Oil Company should, in some form, continue its operations in Iran. In view of this, Mossadegh turned to a no-oil economy. He had said: “The moral aspect of nationalizing oil is more important than its economic aspect.”
What drew the most attention regarding the oil nationalization industry were its political and moral dimensions. The representatives of the National Front were more interested in oil politics than economics, as is evident from their speeches and debates. Mossadegh himself had stated:
The moral aspect of nationalizing oil is more important than its economic aspect.
Ha’ezi-zadeh said:
All of Iran’s disorders stem from the Oil Company, and if we set the oil on fire it would be better than letting the Company take it.” And Hossein Makki, in an open parliamentary session, spoke of sealing the oil wells…
One major reason Mossadegh, during his premiership, was unwilling to resolve disputes with Britain was that the British insisted the Oil Company should, in some form, continue its operations in Iran. In view of this, Mossadegh turned to a no-oil economy.
Footnote:
1- Katouzian, Homayoun [Homa ] (1992). Mossadegh and the Struggle for Power. Translated by Ahmad Tadayon. Tehran: Rasa Cultural Services Institute. pp. 180–181.
