Loss of Persian oil a short time before Winston Churchill resumed office was a big blow to England and a bitter blow to Churchill personally.

It was Churchill who negotiated the original treaty in 1914 and gave Britain control of the oilfields.

In 1912, as First Lord of the Admiralty, Churchill decided to change the Navy over from coal to oil.

He sought a sure source of oil supplies, and at that time Persia’s new oilfields were wanting capital and needing development. There was, of course, much opposition to the move, but he forced it through, and in June 1911 the new Anglo-Persian Oil Company was formed.

Persia’s Premier Dr. Mussadeq had very good reason for wanting to force the oil issue to a quick conclusion while the pusilanimous Attlee was in power. [Clement Attlee]

He was perfectly aware that if the man who was responsible for forming the original company came back to office, the jig would be over.

Churchill resumed power a few weeks later — when Attlee had already sold out.