Selling the Consortium

Abstract

Anyone who thought an oil solution would come easily did not understand the complexities of the affair. With three governments — none speaking with a single voice — eight major oil companies, and numerous minor ones jockeying for advantage, it was little wonder negotiations dragged on long after Musaddiq’s government had disappeared. At times it seemed as if the whole enterprise would come to naught, that one participant or another would pack up and go home. Although the parties came close to such a break, it never happened — there was just too much at stake. And as the shah and Zahidi slowly reestablished control, silencing if not winning over nationalist opponents, prospects for a settlement began to improve.