RUDN Journal of Russian HistoryRUDN Journal of Russian HistoryВестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: История России2312-86742312-8690Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University)5248110.22363/2312-8674-2026-25-3-592-608BFUIOEINTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPSВНЕШНЯЯ ПОЛИТИКА РОССИИResearch ArticleThe Soviet-Iranian Oil Agreement Crisis of 1946-1947Кризис советско-иранского нефтяного соглашения в 1946-1947 годыhttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-0923-1979Al-RefaeWael Mohamed MahmoudАль-РифаиВаэль Мохамед Махмуд

PhD, Associate Professor, at the Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Arts

PhD, доцент кафедры социальных исследований факультета искусств

weali@kfu.edu.saKing Faisal UniversityУниверситет Короля Фейсала29092026253VOL 25, NO3 (2026)ТОМ 25, №3 (2026)59260828092026Copyright ©; 2026, Al-Refae W.M.Copyright ©; 2026, Аль-Рифаи В.М.2026Al-Refae W.M.Аль-Рифаи В.М.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0https://journals.rudn.ru/russian-history/article/view/52481

This study explores one of the major crises that led to tensions in the relations between Iran and the Soviet Union after World War II, namely the Soviet Iranian oil crisis of 1946-1947. The nature of the Soviet withdrawal from Iran after World War II posed a dilemma. The Tehran Agreement, signed in 1942, stipulated the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iran within a maximum of six months once World War II concluded. While the United States and Britain withdrew, the Soviet Union took a different stance. It refused to withdraw, sparking a crisis in Azerbaijan with the purpose of obtaining oil concessions in northern Iran. The results indicate that Soviet Union had expansionist ambitions in Iran that date back to prior to 1947 and were motivated by its strategic geographical location and diverse economic resources. Once World War II ended, Iran’s geopolitical importance increased with the emergence of large quantities of oil, making it a place of conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, as oil became one of the world’s most sought-after commodities and a key element of the struggle.

Данное исследование посвящено одному из кризисов, приведших к напряженности в отношениях между Ираном и Советским Союзом после Второй мировой войны, а именно советско-иранскому нефтяному кризису 1946-1947 гг. Характер советского вывода войск из Ирана после Второй мировой войны создавал определенную дилемму. Тегеранское соглашение, подписанное в 1942 г., предусматривало вывод иностранных войск из Ирана в течение максимум шести месяцев после окончания Второй мировой войны. Соединенные Штаты и Великобритания вывели свои войска; однако Советский Союз занял иную позицию. Он отказался выводить войска и спровоцировал кризис в Азербайджане с целью получения нефтяных концессий на севере Ирана. Результаты исследования показывают, что экспансионистские амбиции Советского Союза в Иране существовали еще до 1947 г., обусловленные его стратегическим географическим положением и разнообразными экономическими ресурсами. После окончания Второй мировой войны значение Ирана возросло с появлением крупных запасов нефти, что сделало его полем конфликта между Соединенными Штатами и Советским Союзом, поскольку нефть стала одним из самых востребованных мировых ресурсов и ключевым элементом соперничества.

The Caspian regionthe 1947 oil agreementIranian oil productionthe Soviet presence in Iranthe entry of Soviet troops into IranКаспийский регионнефтяное соглашение 1947 годаиранская нефтедобычасоветское присутствие в Ираневвод советских войск в ИранAl-Aidrous, M. Political developments in the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait: Dar Al-Silsilah, 1983 (in Arabic).Alaa T. The Islamic World in Contemporary Global Strategies. Beirut: Dar Beirut, 1995. 250 p.Al-Barawi, R. The Oil War in the Middle East, 3rd ed. Cairo: Al-Nahda Egyptian Library, 1950.Al-Aidrous M.H. Political Developments in the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait: Dar Al-Silsilah, 1983. 240 p.Al-Bayati, A.B. “The importance of Iran’s geographical location for Soviet security and its impact on relations between the two countries (1918–1946).” Journal of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies 10, no. 39 (1984) ): 154, 158–159 (in Arabic).Al-Barawi R. The Oil War in the Middle East. Cairo: Al-Nahda Egyptian Library, 1950. 410 p.Al-Jaf, H.K. Encyclopedia of Iranian political history, vol. 4, 1st ed. Beirut: Arab Encyclopedia House, 2008 (in Arabic).Al-Bayati A.B. The Importance of Iran’s Geographical Location for Soviet Security and Its Impact on Bilateral Relations 1918–1946 // Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Journal. 1984. Vol. 39. № 10. P. 158–159.Al-Khouli Masoud, The Historical Encyclopedia, vol. 4, 3rd edition. Beirut; Lebanon International Encyclopedias Company, 2005 (in Arabic).Al-Gamal A.A. Problems of the Middle East, Cairo: Anglo-Egyptian Library, 1955. 907 p.Al-Zawi, N.Y. “The political history of oil concessions in Iran 1901–1951.” PhD dissertation, Al-Mustansiriya University, 1999 (in Arabic).Al-Jaf K.H. Encyclopedia of Iranian Political History. Beirut: Arab Encyclopedia House, 2008. Vol. 4. 550 p.Arfa, H. Under five shahs. New York: Morrow, 1965.Al-Khouli M. The Historical Encyclopedia. Beirut: International Encyclopedias Company, 2005. Vol. 4. 400 p.Banani, A. The modernization of Iran. 1961.Al-Zawi N.Y. The Political History of Oil Concessions in Iran 1901–1951. PhD diss. Baghdad: Al-Mustansiriya University, 1999. 340 p.Bawn, C., and Mooney, P. The Cold War until the accord 1945–1980. Beirut: Dar Al Shorouk, 1983 (in Arabic).Arfa H. Under Five Shahs. New York: Morrow, 1965. 462 p.Brooks, M. Oil and foreign policy. Baghdad: Al-Shaab Press, 1951.Banani A. The Modernization of Iran. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1961. 405 p.Cottam, R. Nationalism in Iran. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1964 (in Arabic).Brooks M. Oil and Foreign Policy. Baghdad: Al-Shaab Press, 1951. 410 p.El-Gamal, A.A. Problems of the Middle East, 1st ed. Cairo: Anglo-Egyptian Library, 1955 (in Arabic).Brown C., Mooney P. The Cold War until the Accord 1945–1980. Beirut: Dar Al Shorouk, 1983. 370 p.Elwell-Sutton, L.P. Persian oil: A study in power politics. London: Lawrence and Wishart. 1955.Cottam R. Nationalism in Iran. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1964. 332 p.Fatemi, F.S. “The USSR in Iran: The Irano dispute and the pattern of Azerbaijan Revolution 1941–1947, PhD diss.” New School for Social Research, 1976 (in Arabic).Dheeb Mliha N.M. American Policy towards Iran 1945–1981. Doc. thesis. Gaza: University of Gaza, 2012. 80 p.Fatemi, N.S. Oil Diplomacy: Powderkeg in Iran. New York: Whittier, 1954.Elwell-Sutton L.P. Persian Oil, Astudy in Power Politics, London, Lawrence and Wishart, 1976. 343 p.Fatemi, N.S. Diplomatic history of Persia 1917–1923. New York: Russell F. Moore, 1962.Fatemi N.S. Oil Diplomacy: Powderkeg in Iran, New York: Whittier, 1962. 405 p.Hamilton, C.W. Americans and Oil in the Middle East. Houston: Gulf Publishing Company, 1962.Fatemi N.S. Diplomatic of Persia 1917–1923. New York: Russell F. Moore, 1962. 331 p.Heikal, M.H. Defender of the Ayatollah, 6th ed. Cairo: Dar Al Shorouk, 2002 (in Arabic).Fatemi F.S. The Usser in Iran: the Irano dispute and the pattern of Azerbijan Revolution 1941–1947. PhD diss. New York: New School for Social Research, 1976. 310 p.Hekmet, H. “Iran response to Soviet–American rivalry 1951–1962, Acomparative Study” PhD diss., Columbia University, 1974.Hamilton Ch.W. Americans and Oil in the Middle East. Houston: Gulf Publishing Co., 1962. 307 p.Hoffer, A.J. The Soviet Union and International Oil Politics. New York: Columbia University, 1977.Hassanein H. Defender of the Ayatollah (The Story of Iran and the Revolution). Cairo: Dar Al-Shorouk, 2002. 300 p.Hurewitz, J. C. Middle East dilemmas. The background of United States policy. New York: Cornell University Press, 1968.Hekmet H. Iran response to soviet – American Revolarg 1951–1962. PhD thesis. New York: Columbia University, 1974. 60 p.Issawi, C. Economic history of Iran 1800–1914. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1971.Hoffer K., Jay A. The Soviet Union & International Oil Politics. New York: Columbia University, 1977. 388 p.Khalil, A.I., and Ali, M.K. Iran and Turkey: A study in modern and contemporary history. Mosul: University of Mosul, 1992 (in Arabic).Hurewitz J.C. Middle East Dilemmas Dilmmas, the Background of United States policy. New York: Published for the Council on Foreign Relations by Harper, 1953. 273 p.Lenczowski, G. Oil and state in the Middle East. Ithaca. New York: University Press, 1960.Issawi Ch. Economic History of Iran 1800–1914. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963. 405 p.Lenczowski, G. The Middle East in world affairs, 3rd ed; Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1968.Khalil Ahmed I., Ali Murad K. Iran and Turkey: A Study in Modern and Contemporary History. Mosul: University of Mosul, 1992. P. 88–92.Lenczowski, G. Russia and the West in Iran 1918–1948. Study in Big-power Rivalry. New York: Cornell University Press, 1968.Komiyon-Nashr-I Vaqi-yi S. Oil and Bahrain. Tehran: Hassan Iqbal, 1951. 120 p.Longrigg, S.H. Oil in the Middle East, its Discovrey and development. London: Oxford University Press, 1968.Longrigg S.H. Oil in the Middle East, its Discovrey and development, London: O.U.P., 1968. 240 p.Mazhar, A.K. Studies in the modern and contemporary history of Iran. Baghdad: Dar Al-Shu’oon Al-Thaqafiya Al-Aama, 1985 (in Arabic).Lenczowski G. Oil and State in the Middle East. New York: Cornell University Press, 1960. 379 p.Mliha, N.M.D. “American policy towards Iran 1945–1981.” Master’s thesis). Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine, 2012 (in Arabic).Lenczowski G. Russia and the West in Iran 1918–1948, Study in Big-power Rivalry. New York: Greenwood Press, 1968. 383 p.Ostovan, H.K. Siasat-i-Movazeneh-manfiey, Dar Mailis Chardahom [Establishment of a Negative Equilibrium in the 14th Majlis] (Tehran, Majlis Publishing Press, 1949) (in Persian).Lenczowski G. The Middle East in World Affairs. New York: Cornell University Press, 1968. 723 p.Palmer, M.A. Guardians of the Gulf: 1883–1992. New York: The Free press Advision of Macmilian, 1992.Mazhar Ahmed K. Studies in Modern and Contemporary History of Iran. Baghdad: Dar Al-Shu’oon Al-Thaqafiya Al-Aama, 1985. 340 p.Powaski, R.E. The Cold War: The United States and the Soviet Union 1917–1991. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.Muhammad Wahim T. The British-American Competition over Arabian Gulf Oil and the Arab Position on It, 1928–1939. Baghdad: Publications of the Ministry of Culture and Information, 1982. 612 p.Ramzani, R.K. The Foreign Policy of Iran 1500-1941, developing National in world Affairs. Virgnia: University Press of Virginia, 1966.Ostovan H.K. Siasat-i-Movazeneh-manfiey, Dar Mailis Chardahom. Establishment of a Negative Equilibrium in the 14th Majlis. Tehran: Majlis Publishing Press, 1949. 310 p.Ramzani, R.A.K. Iran’s foreign policy 1941–1973. Virginia: University Press of Virginia, 1975.Palmer M.A. Gurdians of the Gulf 1883–1992. New York: Macmilian, 1992. 336 p.Safai, I. Nukhust Vaziran, vol. 1. Tehran: [S.n.], 1970 (in Persian).Powaski R.E. The Cold War the United States and the Soviet Union 1917–1991. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. 368 p.Shaker, M., and Yaghi, I. A. Modern and contemporary Islamic world history, vol. 1, 6th ed. Riyadh: Obekan Library, 2010 (in Arabic).Ramazani R.K. The Foreign Policy of Iran 1500–1941, developing National in world Affairs, Virgnia: University Press of Virginia, 1966. 330 p.Shwadran, B. The Middle East, Oil and the Great Powers. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1955.Ramzani R.K. Irans Foreign Policy 1941–1973. Virginia: University Press of Virginia, 1975. 507 p.Taher, A. The Islamic world in contemporary global strategies (1st ed.). Paris: Center for Arab-European Studies, 1998 (in Arabic).Safai I. Prime Minister. Historical Society of Iran. Teheran: Majlis Publishing Press,1970. 215 p.Wahim, T.M. The British-American Competition over Arabian Gulf Oil and the Arab Position on It, 1928-1939. Baghdad: Publications of the Ministry of Culture and Information, 1982 (in Arabic)Shaker M., Yaghi I.A. Modern and Contemporary Islamic World History. Riyadh: Obekan Library, 2010. Vol. 1. Asia Continent. 506 p.Zabih, S. The Communist Movement in Iran. 1966.Shwadran B. The Middle East Oil and the Great Powers. New York: Praeger, 1955. 500 p.Zabih S. The Communist Movement in Iran. Brekeley: University of California Press, 1966. 279 p.