To the casual onlooker the crisis in Iran is a fight between proponents of the old way of life, under the Shah, and those who look for a more modern government. Premier Mohammed Mossadegh leads the “progressives” and is in sharp conflict with the Shah.

Background of the strife in oil-rich Iran includes the imperialistic ambitions of Russia and England, plus the very real interest of the United States.

The Tudeh, official Communist party in Iran, is solidly behind Mossadegh at this moment. [Solidly?] Because it suits the interests of Russia the Tudeh, small but powerful, demands ousting not only of the Shah but complete elimination of “interference” by the U.S. and Britain.

What will happen if Mossadegh wins?

Certainly the oil situation will not improve as far as the U.S., Britain and other western powers are concerned. Mossadegh, it will be recalled, led the fight for nationalization of the oil industry. Today, Tehran is a ghost city compared with the bustling days when oil brought prosperity to Iran and fuel to the western powers. The industry today is at a shutdown.

So if Mossadegh wins, the vast oil reserves of Iran will still be denied to the West.

More likely Mossadegh will remain in power only until the Red directors of the Revolution find a better figurehead. He will be either liquidated or shunted aside in favor of some younger or at least more pliable man.

Russia plans to seize the oil of Iran for herself. She needs not only the oil but the security that will come from a strategically located satellite. Iran under present conditions is a double threat to Russia — a threat that can be eliminated only when the oil is channelled toward Russian ships and planes, and when Russian guns are installed to police the traffic of ships past Iran’s strategic shores.

If the opponents of Mossadegh win out in the current struggle we will be in about the same situation we now occupy, still cut off from the oil we need and denied any real security against future Red coups.

Thus Russia seems to hold all the aces in the deck. Almost any change will benefit Red interests, and the status quo will work to Russia’s benefit by keeping us away from the oil which could be fueling our ships and planes and tanks.

If we had adopted a more intelligent attitude toward the Iranians a decade ago, and if we had insisted the British take a more tolerant attitude at that time we might not be in this fix today.

Today, we are bidding for various concessions and posts and advantages in South American nations and in other areas around the world. Iran should serve as a blueprint of how to lay the groundwork for better relations.