Iran, Fossil fuels and capitalism

JVL Introduction

What is at the root of the war(s)?  Not always, but very often, argues George Monbiot, it is our desire for oil, and especially within the framework of capitalism. He notes the actions by the UK and the US in 1953 to successfully oust the democratically elected leader of Iran because he dared to want the oil in the earth under Iran to be for the benefit of the Iranian people, that it should be nationalised and this was partly a response to requests for more accountabiity, requests that were, of course, refused by the oil company. (The one that later became British Petroleum)

The dominant role for private profit, however much it is destroying lives and the planet is systemic and must be stopped; as Monbiot says it will not be easy and we have already seen the clamping down of protests especially on two key issues, support for Palestine and to prevent (further) climate change.

It is an angry, powerful piece and it is important that these things are being said.

LL

This article was originally published by The Guardian on Thu 19 Mar 2026. Read the original here.