That possibility was seen in a statement this week by Dr. Davoud Kazemi, brother of the Iranian foreign minister, Bagher Kazemi.

Asked what Iran would do if Russia offered 2 percent more for the oil than other bidders Dr. Kazemi replied, “I doubt if Iran could afford to turn it down.”

This disturbing prospect was worrying the world’s free nations Saturday as Britain seemed a step nearer to withdrawing its technicians from the Abadan refinery. The tense drama of the Persian oil crisis was moving almost as breathlessly as the excitement over a possible truce in Korea.

Since not enough Iranians have been trained to refine the oil, the refinery probably would have to close temporarily if the British pull out. Assuming that happens, Iran would be in a position, once she has the necessary technical manpower, to sell the oil to the highest bidder. Russia then could out-bid the West or force the West to pay exorbitant prices to get the fuel, which would mean another soaking for the American taxpayer.

Iran’s desperate need for finances is a factor which may play a vital part, too. If she decides to try to operate the refinery with her own people, it may take so long to get the native technicians trained that the government would collapse from bankruptcy and the Communists might take over. The Kremlin might offer to send in Russian technicians, and then the oil would be in Communist hands.

Russia is playing every possible card, as is evident from the rumors that the Soviets might soon free $12,000,000 owed to Iran for wartime help to Russian occupation troops. [Never happened!]

It does little good now to blame the British for past mistakes, although mistakes have been made. Excessive profits taken out of Iran haven’t helped the living standards of the Iranian people. Dr. Kazemi asserts that the British have been paying 23 percent of their profits to Iran, while in Iraq where American oil companies have an agreement those companies have been splitting the profits 50-50.

Our own government is in a delicate position in trying to mediate the dispute. It cannot offer American help to operate the refinery on more liberal terms because of the damage such a step would do to our alliance with Britain. It should urge, and has urged, the British to offer a higher share of profits to Iran, but the Iranians appear to be in no mood for that kind of deal.

The dismaying thing is to hear the Iranians, who know the evils of a Communist dictatorship, say they are willing to sell the oil to Russia if necessary. Iranian oil in Russia’s hands would greatly facilitate the Soviet’s war machine, and that could mean everything to Americans who one day may be asked to send their sons into battle to resist Russian armies. The American people probably would approve bold action by their government, if any action is possible, to prevent the loss of this oil to the West.