From 1984-1987, the Persian Gulf was embroiled in what became known as the Tanker War, a phase of the Iran-Iraq War sparked when Iraq initiated a series of attacks on Iranian commercial ships. Several years prior in 1980, Iraq bombed Iran’s main oil refinery in Abadan, the same site once controlled by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (later known as BP, or British Petroleum).

In 1984, the BBC documentary series Timewatch devoted its program to what it termed "The First Oil Crisis" — the former Anglo-Iranian oil dispute over Abadan, and subsequent coup of 1953 which toppled Premier Mohammad Mossadegh. Its interview subjects include Sir Peter Ramsbotham (British Envoy to Iran, 1951), Sir Anthony Parsons (Ambassador to Iran, 1974-1979), Professor Homa Katouzian (author, translator of Mossadegh’s memoirs), and Dr. Kenneth Morgan (author, Labour in Power 1945-51).

British documents shown reveal the government’s specific plans drawn up to attack and invade Iran militarily — called Operation Midget, Operation “Plan Y” and Operation Buccaneer respectively. If implemented, such an operation would have utilized a militia about 70,000 strong, beginning with a naval attack on southern Iran.

Presented here is video of the first 18 minutes of the hour long program.