Chapter 307 Iran Issue

Iran, formerly known as Persia, is located in the Middle East, close to the Caspian Sea in the north-central part and the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea in the south.

In the last century, with the invasion of European powers, Iran gradually became a semi-colonial country, with social and economic decline, tyrannical and brutal feudal rule, and many popular uprisings. In February 1921, military officer Reza Shah Pahlavi launched a coup, seized power, and established the Pahlavi Dynasty.

As the first country to discover oil on the Persian Gulf coast, after the establishment of the Pahlavi dynasty, oil production was nationalized and Iran began to develop rapidly.

Especially after the 1970s, the first oil crisis broke out, oil prices soared, and a group of oil-producing countries along the Persian Gulf coast quickly became rich. Within a few years, Iran's GDP increased several times. For example, in 1973, the Iranian government's oil revenue was 2.8 billion US dollars, and in 1975, this figure became 17.8 billion US dollars.

Iran, with an annual oil production of about 200 million tons, ranks first in the Middle East and fourth in the world. At the same time, Iran has become a wealthy country in the world.

Unfortunately, as a monarch with courage and insight, Pahlavi wanted to build a former Persian Empire, so Iran started the White Revolution. Various economic development plan indicators were constantly improved, large investments were made in the industrial field, and industrial construction was accelerated. He wanted to build Iran into an industrial country on par with industrially developed countries by the end of this century and become the world's "fifth most powerful country."

Unfortunately, he never went to the lower classes. In the process of industrialization, the lifeline of the country was completely destroyed. A large number of farmers who lost their land had to move to the cities. They were ragged and had nothing. At the same time, 2,000 wealthy families headed by the king and the royal family amassed wealth, plundered by trickery, embezzled, and spent money like water. The vast majority of farmers and urban poor hardly benefited from the surge in oil wealth, and the gap between the rich and the poor grew in tandem with social wealth.

The whole of Iran seems to be sitting on the crater of a volcano, and the anger of the people may erupt at any time!

At the same time, Iran is completely westernized, women are wearing revealing clothes and walking around the streets at will, and there are even sex workers, which makes many people with firm beliefs hate it.

Just last year, when the Shah visited the United States, a large number of Iranian students studying in the United States held an anti-king demonstration near the White House lawn. The scale of the demonstration was so large that the US police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

This year, a protest march was held in the holy religious city of Qom, Iran, which was suppressed by the Pahlavi government, resulting in a bloody tragedy with about 70 deaths and 400 injuries. The Qom bloodshed ignited the flame of the Iranian revolution!

At the same time, Iran's zongjiao leader also began to step onto Iran's political stage, calling on the people to rise up, oppose the monarchy, and advocate the implementation of an Islamic government!

In fact, Pahlavi's idea was correct, but he made mistakes on the road to industrialization and ignored the interests of the people. In later generations, Iran could fight Iraq for eight years while cursing the United States and the Soviet Union and offending both sides, and it could thrive under the blockade of the West and disgust the United States from time to time, all thanks to the industrialization created by Pahlavi. In later generations, the United States can fight Iraq, Syria, and Libya, but it cannot fight Iran, because Iran is an industrial country! Iran's war potential far exceeds that of Iraq, which claims to be the fourth most powerful country in the world!

"Just today, a large-scale demonstration took place in Tehran, the capital of Iran, with a crowd of up to one million people participating. They demanded the end of the monarchy, the acceptance of HMN as the supreme leader, the establishment of an Islamic government, the restoration of agriculture, the protection of religion, and the return of exiles." The White House Chief of Staff said: "The Pahlavi regime has completely lost control of the situation in Iran. It is very likely that Iran will change its regime in the near future."

Bad news one after another! After listening to these reports, Carter frowned with countless wrinkles.

The developed industrial countries in the West are all built on the basis of cheap oil. Oil is the black blood of industry! As the largest oil producer in the Middle East, the United States absolutely does not want this country to be out of its control!

"Last year, Sullivan did an analysis and believed that the Pahlavi regime was not capable enough to maintain the political situation in Iran and hoped that we would make preparations early," Secretary of State Warren said. "However, at that time, our eyes were on Hokkaido and we did not pay too much attention to it."

No one paid attention at that time. After all, the situation in the Far East was the most important. But now, seeing that the Pahlavi was about to be overthrown, the United States became anxious, but it was too late.

"Warren, what do you think we should do?" Carter asked.

"Since Pahlavi cannot control Iran, we might as well choose another agent. If HMN can really control the situation in Iran, we might as well cooperate with him. We will not interfere in their domestic affairs. We only ask them to produce oil normally." Warren said: "This way, we can exchange for continued peace in the Gulf."

The United States supports puppet regimes in other countries. If the regime is not effective, it will support another one! In Africa and Latin America, this is a tried and tested method of the United States.

"No, absolutely not!" Hearing Warren's words, Secretary of Defense Harold said, "Those guys are crazy. They can't think with our normal brains. Really, those guys with faith are extremely disgusted with our American freedom and democracy. They also hate our culture. We have no way to cooperate with them."

Cooperating with those guys? This is not a good thing. They are different from the Pahlavi family, the Saudi and Kuwaiti royal families!

"So what do you think we should do?" Warren asked.

"We will send troops to help Pahlavi maintain national stability!" Harold said: "Only if our troops are stationed directly in Iran can we better safeguard our oil security!"

Another garrison! Hearing Harold's words, Warren couldn't help but shake his head: "No, our garrisons in the island countries are already facing such a big problem. The Soviet Union will not give up this opportunity and will definitely oppose us on the Iranian issue, such as supporting HMN to fight against us. We really want to station troops in the Gulf, that is impossible."

After discussing for a long time, there was no conclusion! Carter felt that today was really terrible! He sat down and heard the phone next to him ringing harshly.

"Mr. President, our island nation's embassy has been occupied by a group of self-proclaimed patriotic students. Two hundred and thirteen people, including Ambassador Green, have become hostages." The voice on the other end of the phone was a little panicked. It was the voice of Lieutenant General Paul, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Japan.