Whatever happens now in Iran, there can be little doubt that the east-west struggle there has reached a climax that could mean World War III. Iran’s threat to evacuate British technicians in Abadan led the British government yesterday to warn it would have “a grave effect.” This, in diplomatic language, means Britain may use force to prevent such an evacuation.

Here, however, a larger peril arises. Under a 1921 treaty dividing British and Russian spheres of influence in the Middle East, London and Moscow agreed that if either ever used force in Iran, the other was privileged to step in also. This rearrangement almost automatically brings up the question, Where will the British and Russian spheres of influence lie inside Iran? If the country is invaded by two foreign forces, partitioned and possibly dismembered there is a possibility all of this may avoid war — but it is extremely unlikely. That is the danger of World War III.

The question of what America can, and should do in event Britain resorts to force in Iran is of great moment. Understandably this government has considerable interest in western influence and prestige in Iran, not to mention access to Iranian oil under fair arrangements with the Iranians. Admittedly the British have bungled in Iran. But it has become perfectly clear that Iran will not, under the present government, agree to arrangements short of loss of western influence, prestige and possibly oil eventually. The Kremlin undoubtedly is back of this position, stirring up the Iranian Tudeh (Communist) party into strong nationalism, fanatical anti-westernism.

It is time for this country to make this momentous decision. It should be in the larger interest of freedom and peace — with due regard for the tragic plight of Iran.