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I have just read your first link re Mossadegh and want to give a preliminary response before I leave for work so as to promote more discussion to enjoy tonight before bedtime.

I pointed out in my Comment that one problem was that the British would not go for a 50/50 split on the oil as Aramco had done with the Saudi’s. This problem of British greed seems to be substantiated in FARS first link at anti-mullah. I was somewhat aware of a Communist problem, but did not know the extent. However, I am now reading Spy Catcher by Peter Wright, former Assistant Director of MI5. He goes into great detail about the Communist/Soviet penetration of British security/intelligence/research/diplomatic agencies. Now I will have to reread that with this additional input. I think that it is quite possible that Carter was duped by the British to support their own aims. There is a whole lot here to think about and question.

Some of my thoughts and questions: What might have happened in Iran if the British had been fairer in their oil dealings in the 50’s? To what degree might British intransigence in oil negotiations been influenced by Soviet influence in Britain to push Iran toward Russia? How much was Britain implicated in Carter’s behavior toward the Shah? Does anyone have any information on the degree to which the Shah’s land reforms would have gored the mullahs’ ox? Would it have been like when Henry VIII went Protestant and redistributed Catholic holdings to his chronies and supporters for political gain and power? I’ll probably think of more questions while at work.