The history of international politics bears witness to the fact that great powers have often sought to establish influence in various regions of the world to protect their economic and strategic interests.
The United States has, at different times, used political, economic, or military pressure to gain access to the natural resources of other countries, especially oil, gas, and minerals. Several historical events reinforce this debate.
In the early decades of the twentieth century, there were significant investments by American and British companies in Mexico’s oil reserves. However, in 1938, Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas made a historic decision to nationalize the oil industry, known as the “Mexican Oil Expropriation of 1938.” This move resulted in substantial financial losses for American and British companies, and both countries increased economic pressure on Mexico. Nevertheless, the people of Mexico demonstrated full solidarity with their president and ultimately succeeded in protecting their national interests.
Similarly, the issue of oil in Iran has profoundly affected global politics. In the 1950s, Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh decided to nationalize the country’s oil, which was then largely under the control of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (which later became BP).
In 1953, the US intelligence agency CIA and the British intelligence agency jointly carried out a covert operation known in history as the “1953 Iranian Coup d’État.” This operation led to the downfall of Mohammad Mosaddegh’s government and further strengthened the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, after which Western oil companies once again gained access to Iranian oil.
There are also numerous historical examples of American influence in Latin America. In 1954, in Guatemala, President Jacobo Árbenz began to nationalize large agricultural lands under land reforms. These lands included those owned by the American company United Fruit Company. Against this backdrop, a military coup took place in Guatemala in 1954, known in history as the “1954 Guatemalan Coup d’état,” which resulted in the dismissal of President Árbenz’s government.
Similarly, in Chile, President Salvador Allende nationalized the copper industry, in which American companies had significant investments. In 1973, a military coup occurred in Chile, known as the “1973 Chilean Coup d’état,” and General Augusto Pinochet came to power. According to multiple historical investigations and studies, the possibility of external support in this political change has also been discussed.
A controversial incident occurred during the Gulf crisis on July 25, 1990, when the US Ambassador to Baghdad, April Glaspie, met with Saddam Hussein and advised him to occupy Kuwait.
A few days after this meeting, on August 2, 1990, Iraq occupied Kuwait. Subsequently, a coalition of 34 countries led by the United States launched an air campaign against Iraq on January 17, 1991, which was the official beginning of the Gulf War, while ground combat began on February 24, and after a ceasefire on February 28, 1991, Kuwait was liberated.
In 2003, the United States launched another major military operation in Iraq, known as the Iraq War. The reason given by the United States for this war was the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but later no clear evidence of such weapons was found. According to many experts, Iraq’s vast oil reserves were a significant factor behind this conflict.
After the Gulf War, the United States gained a strong military presence in the Middle East, defense cooperation with the Gulf countries increased, arms sales grew, and its influence on the region’s energy politics further solidified.
The history of American intervention in Latin America is often recalled as the “Banana Wars,” during which American influence was prominent in countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama to protect the economic interests of American companies.
In today’s global politics, energy resources are no longer just part of economic activity; they have become a fundamental pillar of power, influence, and geopolitical strategy. In this context, the United States is currently going through a very complex and sensitive phase in global energy politics. On the surface, this struggle appears to be about access to oil and the balance of supply, but behind it lies a larger strategy to gain strategic control over global markets and long-term influence over energy resources.
According to energy experts, mixing Venezuela’s heavy crude oil with Iran’s light crude oil can reduce viscosity, making the refining process cheaper, easier, and more efficient (Energy Policy Studies, 2020; US Oil Experts Analysis, 2021).
The United States, after gaining access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, now fully understands the importance of Iran’s relatively lighter and less viscous crude oil. According to energy experts, a significant reason for this interest is the fundamental difference in the chemical properties and physical structure of the oil from both countries. This difference plays a crucial role in the global refining industry and energy trade.
In terms of gravity and weight (API Gravity), Venezuela’s crude oil is among the heaviest in the world. Its API gravity is generally between 8 and 16, making it extremely viscous and dense. Due to this characteristic, its processing and refining are considered relatively difficult and expensive. This heavy oil structure also complicates its transportation and industrial use.
In contrast, Iran’s crude oil is mostly in the light to medium grade category. Its API gravity is generally between 29 and 33 degrees, making its processing relatively easy and refining more efficient. This is why the production of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from Iranian crude oil is relatively higher and at a lower cost.
Similarly, there is a clear difference in sulfur content between the oils of both countries. Venezuela’s crude oil typically has a sulfur content of over three percent, which is why it is called “sour crude.” This type of oil requires modern and complex refining technology to make it clean and usable.
In comparison, the sulfur content in Iran’s crude oil is at a medium level, approximately between one to two percent. This is why it is relatively less corrosive, and its refining is not only easier but also possible at a relatively lower cost. Furthermore, due to its lower viscosity, Iranian crude oil can be easily transported through pipelines, and various petroleum products can be readily produced from it in conventional refineries.
On the other hand, to effectively use Venezuela’s heavy crude oil, it often needs to be mixed with lighter oil or specific diluents to reduce its viscosity. For this purpose, specialized heavy oil upgrading plants or complex refining processes like coking are also used, which make the entire process more expensive and technically complex.
In terms of oil reserves, Venezuela holds the most prominent position in the world. It has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated to be around 300 to 350 billion barrels, and about 90 percent of these consist of heavy crude oil. On the other hand, Iran’s proven oil reserves are around 200 billion barrels, most of which is light to medium-grade crude oil.
In reality, oil in today’s world is not just a fuel but has become the primary source for balancing global power. This is why the United States is trying to maintain its presence in global energy politics not merely as a consumer but as an influential and decisive player, where every step appears to be driven by a deep connection between energy, economy, and geopolitics.
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