Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (BP)

The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), established in 1908, was a British company that extracted oil from Iran, later becoming part of what we know today as BP (British Petroleum). The company played a significant role in the early petroleum industry and shaped oil exploration in the Middle East. AIOC's operations were often controversial, leading to political tensions in Iran, particularly around nationalization efforts in the 1950s. This culminated in a coup backed by Western powers. Today, BP is one of the world's largest energy companies, with a diverse portfolio beyond oil.