The Abadan Crisis occurred from 1951 to 1954, after Iran nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and expelled Western companies from oil refineries in the city of Abadan. Britain was brought close to outright war with Iran, who retained an ally in the United States, hoping Iran would continue as a bulwark against communism. President Eisenhower reversed this stance in 1953.

As a result of the crisis, Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, was ousted from power. With the aid of the CIA, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi took control of the country. In August, 1954, the company was placed under control of an international consortium, splitting the profits from oil between the U.S., Britain, France, and The Netherlands. Iran was to receive no profit from oil for 25 years.