Iran is doing what Africa refused to do

Break Free From Exploiters...

IRAN IS DOING WHAT AFRICA HAS REFUSED TO DO
By Segun Adeniyi

Many Africans insult IRAN today.

They say Iran is stubborn, aggressive, or anti-We3st.

But let’s ask an uncomfortable question:

Why is Iran so determined to stand up to the We3st?

Because Iran remembers its history.

And Africa seems to have forgotten hers.

1. How the West Exploited Iran’s Oil.

In 1908, massive oil reserves were discovered in Iran. 

But who controlled them?

Not the Iranian people.

A British company called the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)—today known as BP—ran Iran’s oil industry and took most of the profits.

Iran had little control over its own resources.

Imagine Nigeria’s oil being controlled entirely by foreigners.

That was Iran’s reality.

2. Iran Tried to Take Back Its Oil.

In 1951, Iran elected a nationalist Prime Minister named Mohammad Mossadegh.

His crime?

He nationalized Iran’s oil industry so the wealth would benefit Iranians instead of foreign corporations. 

But Britain and the West refused to accept it.

They imposed economic blockades and tried to destroy Iran’s economy.

Sound familiar?

3. The West Overthrew Iran’s Democracy.

When sanctions didn’t work, the West chose another option:

Regime change.

In August 1953, the CIA and British intelligence (MI6) carried out a covert operation called Operation Ajax to overthrow Mossadegh. 

The coup removed Iran’s democratically elected government and restored the pro-Western Shah.

Hundreds died during the coup. 

Even the CIA later admitted the operation was carried out as an act of U.S. foreign policy. 

Let that sink in:

A democratic government was overthrown because it wanted control of its own oil.

4. The West Took Back Iran’s Oil.

After the coup, a 1954 oil consortium gave Western companies control of Iran’s oil again:

40% to American companies

40% to British companies.

The rest to European companies. 

Iran’s resources were once again divided among foreign powers.

This is the exact model that operated across Africa.

5. Why Iran Became Anti-Western

Fast forward.

In 1979, the Iranian Revolution overthrew the Western-backed Shah.

The revolution was driven by one powerful idea:

Independence from foreign domination.

Since then, Iran has endured:

Sanctions.

Isolation.

Economic warfare.

Military threats.

Yet the country still built:

A domestic missile industry.

A major scientific and nuclear research sector.

One of the strongest military deterrence systems in the Middle East.

Many analysts say Iran’s technological push became a symbol of sovereignty after decades of foreign exploitation. 

6. Compare That With Africa.

Africa also has:

Oil
Minerals
Rare earth resources
Gold
Lithium

The youngest population on earth.

But who controls most of it?

Foreign companies.

Western corporations extract Africa’s resources while Africans export raw materials and import finished products.

Exactly the system Iran tried to end in 1951.

7. The Hard Truth Africans Don’t Want to Hear.

Iran chose resistance.

Africa chose dependence.

Iran built domestic industries despite sanctions.

Africa still imports:
Refined fuel
Machinery
even toothpicks.

Iran invested in self-reliance.

Africa invested in foreign approval.

My final thoughts?

You don’t have to agree with Iran’s politics.

But one thing is undeniable:
Iran decided its destiny would not be written in Washington, London, or Paris.

Until Africa makes the same decision, our resources will keep building other people’s economies.

And we will keep wondering why the richest continent on Earth remains poor.