The Nationalization of Iran's oil Industry

Mozaffar Shahedi

 

In 1901, Mozaffaraddin Shah granted the oil concession to William Knox D'arcy, a British subject, eventual outcome of this was the absolute dominance of the British government on Iranian oil resources until the middle of the Twentieth century. However, it was in late years of the second world war that the illegitimate properties of the British government were opposed by the Iranians, and ended in the nationalization of Iran's oil industry, itself being the origin to many other political and economic changes.

 

Simultaneous with mass demonstrations against the British which was supported by the religious and political groups; in order to consolidate their position, the British decided to offer some limited concessions; so they introduced the well known Gass-Golshaiyan contract to which the Majlis opposed strongly. Soon after, the oil committee of Majlis presented the bill for nationalization of oil industry. Following much to and fro struggle in and out of the Majlis, and after the attempt on Razmara, then prime minister, by Khalil Tahmassebi of Fadaiyan Eslam in March 7, 1951, it received the serious attention of Majlis.

 

Eventually in the very critical socio-political situation of these days a single article on the nationalization of oil industry was ratified by the Majlis deputies and some days later, in the last day of Iranian year corresponding to March 20 1951, the Senate approved this ratification which will remain in the historical memory of Iranians forever.