Correct. You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.

[All paragraphs spat put by Google AI] The British Petroleum company, originally the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) founded in 1909, played a dominant, colonial-style role in Iran by controlling oil extraction, production, and refining for over four decades. The British government held a 51% share, treating Iranian oil as a strategic national asset. Its refusal to share profits fairly led to the 1951 nationalization of the industry.

Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the role of the British banking system and British corporate interests in Iranian oil shifted from one of direct, dominant control to a position of exclusion and conflict. The new Islamic regime nationalized all assets, leading to the termination of the British Petroleum (BP, formerly Anglo-Iranian Oil Company) role in managing Iran's oil, resulting in the loss of 40% of BP's global crude oil supplies.

Maybe also investigate the USA angle:

Between 1909 and 1951, the role of the United States and the CIA regarding Iranian oil shifted from distant observation and minor competition with British interests to direct intervention aimed at securing Western control over the resource. While Great Britain (via the Anglo-Persian/Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, APOC/AIOC) held a monopoly for most of this period, the U.S. became heavily involved by 1951 to prevent the nationalization of oil from falling under Soviet influence.

Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the role of the USA and CIA regarding Iranian oil shifted dramatically from controlling production to actively attempting to dismantle, isolate, and sanction Iran's energy sector. After the revolution, the new Islamic regime nationalized the oil industry, causing American firms and personnel to leave Iran, ending the Western-led consortium established after the 1953 CIA-backed coup. U.S. Department of State (.gov) U.S. Department of State (.gov) +3 Key Aspects of US Role Post-1979 Revolution: Initial Embargoes and Asset Freezes: Following the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, President Jimmy Carter issued Executive Order 12170 on November 14, 1979, freezing roughly $12 billion in Iranian assets, including bank deposits and gold. On November 12, 1979, the U.S. formally banned the importation of Iranian oil. Decades of Sanctions (1980s–Present): The US has used sanctions as a primary tool to cripple Iran's oil-dependent economy, aiming to reduce its global market share and prevent investments in its infrastructure. 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA): Targeted foreign investment in Iran’s oil and gas sector. 2010 Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Disinvestment Act: Expanded restrictions, targeting financial institutions and removing exemptions on Iranian imports. "Maximum Pressure" Policy (2018–Present): The U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on energy and shipping, aiming for zero oil exports. Impact on Production and Infrastructure: The combination of the departure of Western engineers, the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88), and prolonged sanctions caused substantial damage to Iran's petroleum infrastructure, severely limiting its production capacity. Containment via Regional Partners: The US has historically worked to create alternatives to Iranian oil, encouraging allies to use other suppliers. Military Interference: During the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, the US provided intelligence, technology, and financial support to Iraq, directly impacting the security of Iran's oil-rich regions. Wikipedia Wikipedia +4 CIA Role Post-Revolution While the CIA's primary role in the 1950s was directly controlling the oil through the 1953 coup (Operation Ajax), after 1979, its role became one of intelligence gathering regarding Iran’s compliance with sanctions and its efforts to export oil clandestinely. Wikipedia Wikipedia +1 Despite these efforts, Iran has maintained its position as a major oil producer, with its oil sector experiencing a resurgence in production in recent years (2024-2025) despite continued US sanctions. YouTube YouTube Iran–United States relations - Wikipedia The coup d'état. ... The U.S. helped establish SAVAK, the Shah's brutal secret police, to maintain his rule. Many liberal Iranians...

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