Iranian Gas Field
Yes, Iran has signed a deal worth $2 billion with a consortium of French companies to develop one of the Pars gas fields in the northern Persian Gulf (Sept. 30). Many, including the mullah authorities within Iran, regard this as a breakthrough and a defeat of American policies. They are sadly mistaken.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Iran did not seek developers of its natural resources, but ejected them by nationalizing its oil and gas industries. It was the shah’s dream to sell every barrel of oil for $300, and if that couldn’t be done, to sell no oil but oil derivatives. Now, Iran begs foreign companies to ransack its natural wealth.
The policies of the U.S. are unequivocally biased toward protecting U.S. interests, and U.S. interests dictate a minimal price for gas and oil. Anyone going against these interests, without extravagant support, is doomed to fail, as did Mohammad Mossadegh and the shah. The mullahs in Iran are unknowingly dancing to American tunes and unless they stop they are here to stay.
ARTIN TERHAKOPIAN
La Crescenta
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