Iranians on the way to Conquest
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military conflict as an excuse for intervention, in order—as they so nicely put it—to ‘stabilize’ the Middle East.” “How?” asked Grechko through his translator. “There are 12,000 American military ‘advisers’ in Saudi Arabia. For yearsthey have been trying to convince Faisal that Iran, not the United States, is the real enemy of the Arab people. And what better proof than a major Iranian-Iraqi armed conflict? Now to answer your question: the Saudi/American armed forces would move immediately to ‘secure their northern flank.’ Which means their occupation of the entire western coast of the Persian Gulf, up to and including Kuwait. But, all this can be prevented.”
“How?” repeated Grechko. “Very simply, though at great sacrifice to my country. Iran would make a preemptive strike. Not just against Iraq. We would simultaneously neutralize Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, as well as the northern tip of Oman. We will have the entire Persian Gulf—both sides—in our hands before the Americans even find out. After that they, and their friends the Saudis, will be finished in the Middle East.” The shah paused, and then added six further words: “provided your country does not intervene.” “We could not stand idly by,” said Grechko immediately. “Iraq is our friend.” “But so is Iran. And it is I, only I, who can stop the Americans from gaining control of the Gulf.” “There are other reasons,” continued the shahanshah. “For example, would it be in your interest if we’were forced to suspend shipments of natural gas to your country, especially now that the second pipeline is in operation?” “Why should you have to do that? We have very firm agreements!” Grechko was getting angry. “Because,” replied the shah, calmly “if we allow Iraq to attack, its first target on Iranian soil will be Abadan.The refinery complex there is the largest in the world, and Iran’s prime source of energy. It’s within artillery range of Iraq. But our gas fields are beyond Iraq’s reach. I think it should be obvious that after Abadan is destroyed, we will have to immediately stop all exports of gas. We will desperately require every cubic foot for domestic consumption.”
The shah raised both hands in a gesture of impatience. “But why should I dwell on circumstances which need not ever develop? With the agreement of your government, I can prevent such a catastrophe. Then not only will you have your gas but much more. I will be prepared to enter into a five-year agreement on shipments of crude oil to the Soviet Union—at a fixed price. Ten dollars a barrel. Up to. half a billion barrelsa year.” “It is too dangerous,” said Grechko.
“I am also in a position to lend you an F-l4. Or two, if you need them.” Now Grechko’s eyes flickered. The American F-14 was the only aircraft superior to the MiG-25, and both planes were planned as the top-performance interceptors of their respective countries in the 1980’s. That Grechko understood. Let the people back in the Kremlin calculate the gas and oil thing.
“How soon do you need an answer?” “Within three days.” “And if it is negative?” “Then you had better find your own way of coping with the Americans.” The shahanshah rose. The audience was over. But Grechko, though also rising, persisted. “How do you know the Iraqis are about to attack?”
The shah’s hand motioned to General Khatami. Out of his briefcase came two aerial photographs, compliments of a camera built by Kodak, as mounted in an aircraft built by McDonnell Douglas — a total package for which the shah had paid $15 million in 1974.
“This,” said Khatami, taking the first photograph and pointing at the river forming the border between Iraq and Iran where the two countries meet at the northern tip of the Persian Gulf,
“is the Shatt al-Arab River. Note the incredible concentration of artillery displacements and missile launching sites here, opposite Abadan, and there, vis-à-vis Khorramshahr.”
Khatami presented his second photo. “Now this is the territory immediately to the north—the narrow plain between the Tigris and the Iranian border. You can quite clearly see the armor. Here, ready to move on Ahvaz. There, poised at Dezful. The idea, obviously, is to
I.
IRAN'S ARSENAL - CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Type Characteristics Number
Chieftain
World’s most modern battle tank, supplied by
Great Britain. Has an exceptionally accurate 120-mm gun
which can hit and destroy any tank within 2,000 meters.
Speed, 30 m.p.h.; night vision equipped; with snorkel,
can wade up to 16 feet. 800
TOTAL 1.660
Armored Personnel Carriers
BTR-60
Soviet-built. Carries 13 infantrymen. Speed, 50 m.p.h.
Has a 14.5-mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62-mm
machine gun, turret mounted. Equipped with rocket
launchers (including antitank).
1,000
BTR-50
Soviet-built light amphibious tank. Carries 15 men plus
4 machine guns of 14.5, 12.7, or 7.62- mm caliber.
500
M-l 13
U.S.-built standard current U.S. Army armored
personnel carrier. Carries 13 men, has .50-caliber
machine guns. Variants include mountings for
antitank missiles, mortars, and flame throwers.
500
TOTAL 2,000
Naval Vessels
Aircraft Kitty Hawk and Constellation, on lease from the
Carriers* United States. Both are 1,062 meters long, can
carry 80—90 Phantom fighter-bombers.
Destroyers
Two are of the Spruance class, supplied by Litton
Industries, Pascagula, Mississippi. World’s most
sophisticated attack ship, with helicopter, missile.
and antisubmarine capability. 5
Frigates 4
Corvettes 4
Patrol Boats 14
Minesweepers 6
Other Including landing craft, inshore minesweepers. etc.
TOTAL 39
NB:* (Based on current (1974) speculation, not fact. However, sources in Washington, D.C.. suggest that talks concerning such a deal have taken
place.)— P. E.] Editor's notecontinued....