Evaluating the Role of the Clergy in the Oil Industry Nationalization Movement in Iran

The second social transformation in Iran after the constitution revolution is the oil nationalization movement and its relevant developments. Oil industry nationalization movement was the most important anti-colonial movement in the Middle East during 1950s. Nationalization of oil industry was a turning point in the Iranian contemporary history in which several elements contributed and it can be said that oil industry nationalization was fulfilled by the coalition of all religious and national forces and political and allied groups against colonialism and dictatorship. In this respect, the important and critical role of the clergy should not be neglected. The role of Ayatollah Kashani, the measures taken by Fadaeian Islam Group and Navab Safavi and the fatwas of Islamic scientists were among the exemplary measures taken by the clergy in that time. But having a look at the role and position of the clergy in that period of time tells us that it is a complex and contradictory role with offending and sometimes contradictory tendencies. This has provided the ground for contradictory interpretations. This study deals with evaluating the role of the clergy in that process. It evaluates the reasons of different interpretations and tendencies of the clergy towards oil industry nationalization while evaluating their political and social conditions. It should be noted that putting an emphasis on the role of the clergy shall never be deemed as denial of the role of other political forces and groups in the fulfillment of oil industry nationalization process.