Soviet s Strategic Objectives of Demanding North Oil Concession

The issue of the North Oil Concession is of great importance in Iran s relations with Soviet Union. Since the five Northern provinces of Iran have been excluded from the Darcy Contract and Britain has won the South Oil Concession without any problem, Russia and then Soviet also were trying to obtain similar concessions in Iran. Russia initially started efforts by taking advantage of Khoshtaria Concession by which had acquired the triple locations of oil mines concession of Tonekabon, Kajur and Kalarestagh and then extracting oil in states of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Estarabad. Although, they abolished the contracts assigned to the Russia Tsarist Government and its nationals after the October Revolution, they would never allow the oil mines of Soviet neighboring provinces be granted to another country or nationals of rival countries like England and America. After occupation of Iran during World War II by the Soviet Allies, once again, Russia intended to get North Oil Concession. This powerful neighbor pursued specific strategic objectives, such as competition with Britain in Iran, fear and encourage of the potential foreign forces penetration in North of Iran and in the vicinity of Soviet borders, as well as achievement of the Iran s Northern oil to compete with America and England on world markets in this concession wanting. They failed in this goal with the approval of the National Assembly of Iran based on not to grant any oil concession till the end of World War. But, they created a lot of problems in Iran s domestic affairs. Finally, they evacuated their forces from Iran after negotiations of Ghavamolsaltaneh with the Soviets and making them hopeful to sign oil contract with Iran in 1946

Keywords:

North Oil , Russia , Iran , Concession , Soviet