Chapter 434: The Arrow Is on the String

"With the start of the Iran-Iraq War, the output of oil from the Persian Gulf began to decline. At the same time, the international crude oil price saw a new round of sharp rise, from more than 50 US dollars a barrel to more than 80 US dollars. As a result, our oil exports have gained more profits." The report of the Soviet Minister of Oil was read out by Vorotnikov, Andropov's assistant in charge of domestic economic reforms: "But in the past six months, OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, announced that it would stabilize the supply and demand relationship in the oil market by increasing oil production. Saudi Arabia's large-scale increase in oil production has caused oil prices to begin to fall. So far, oil prices have fallen to 30 US dollars a barrel. However, Saudi Arabia still announced that it would continue to increase oil production to cope with the crisis. We estimate that Saudi Arabia's eventual increase in oil production will cause the international oil price to fall to around 10 US dollars a barrel, while our production cost is 20 US dollars a barrel."

There was no lengthy analysis, only simple data explanations, and these data made everyone present frown.

Obviously, this is a new round of counterattack by the United States!

"Now, our economy is in a critical period of transformation. Relying on the war dividends of the island nation, we have greatly improved our industry. At the same time, cooperation with China has enabled us to have more agricultural products to meet the needs of our residents. Now, our oil exports account for a declining proportion of our foreign exchange earnings, but it is still our main source of foreign exchange. Once the international oil price falls below $20 a barrel, our situation will be worrying. If we do not export oil, our oil industry will be in oversupply and production capacity will be severely consumed. If we stop working, those workers will face unemployment. If we continue to export oil, we will face the need for state subsidies to maintain the balance of payments in the oil industry." Vorotnikov continued.

The United States has started to play this card! Andre certainly knew that in later generations, the Americans did this. At that time, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to collective opposition from the Western world. Under the coercion and inducement of the United States, these Middle Eastern countries continued to increase oil production, causing oil prices to fall sharply, in order to cause problems for the Soviet Union's economy.

And now? The Soviet Union's reputation has not been ruined yet. The United States must have exerted greater pressure on Saudi Arabia to force these oil-producing countries to increase oil production, using this tactic of killing one thousand enemies and hurting eight hundred of their own!

You know, when oil prices fall, these countries’ increased oil production will not increase their income, but on the contrary, their income will decrease! They are really a group of puppets controlled by the United States!

It seems that the influence of the United States in the Middle East still exists! Andre frowned. In the past, he just wanted to occupy part of Iran, obtain a passage to the south, and achieve a huge breakthrough in the Middle East strategy. But now, the situation is so unclear. It is obviously not enough to just control Iran. Only by controlling the entire Middle East can the Soviet energy security be guaranteed!

The Middle East is not monolithic. If you want to disintegrate the Middle East, you have to start with their internal problems! Thoughts continued to spread in Andre's mind.

"Andre?" A voice came to his ear, and Andre came back to his senses. Seeing everyone looking at him, he realized that he had lost his mind.

"Andrei, it seems that the action of our Turkestan Military District can't be delayed any longer. We must solve the Iranian issue quickly and open up a passage to the south first. Our fleet can be stationed in the southern ports of Iran. In this way, we can use force to deter the entire Persian Gulf. At that time, we can also prevent these pro-American countries from going too far." Ustinov said.

The power of the Soviet Union must be quickly inserted into the Middle East! See if they dare to plot behind the scenes! If you continue to do this, the Soviet Union will launch an air strike to blow up all the oil wells in Saudi Arabia, and then let you increase oil production!

"Yes, Comrade Ustinov." Andrei said, "Our battle cannot be delayed any longer, but we cannot send troops blindly. We still need a reason."

If the Soviet Union sent troops randomly, it would definitely ruin its reputation, just like the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in history. Now, under its own promotion, although the situation in Afghanistan is chaotic, the Soviet Union has remained on hold because the Soviet top leaders' eyes are all on Iran.

Now, the Iranian issue must be resolved, but sending troops directly there would be the most foolish approach. Look at the Americans, they have to create a high-sounding fig leaf.

"What's the reason?" asked Ustinov.

"Our Olympic Games are about to be held." Andre said, "What if, at our Olympic Games, some fanatical and reckless guys sneak into the venue with bombs and create a horrific explosion, killing innocent athletes and spectators?"

Anti-terrorism! The reason that Andre thought of was, of course, anti-terrorism. In this era, although this term is still new, it can definitely arouse the anger of people all over the world. Fighting is a matter for soldiers and has nothing to do with civilians. Creating explosions among civilians will be punished by God.

"It's impossible. Our Olympic security is very good. We won't allow these people to have such an opportunity," said KGB Chairman Vitaly Vasilyevich Fedorchuk.

Are you kidding? The Olympic Games are the top priority for the country right now. Security is extremely tight. How could something like this happen? If that happens, you'd better not have your head!

"Vitaly, you have to look at the problem from a higher perspective!" Andropov criticized the attitude of his trusted subordinate: "Andrei, this is a really good idea!"

Every time Andrei made a plan, it was quite wonderful and brilliant. This plan was even more ingenious! In this way, the reason why the Soviet Union sent troops was so correct that even the United States could not object!

"Our actions this time must be as quick as the United States did in the past!" Andre said, "The Americans have not given up the opportunity to control Iran! If we act slowly, the Americans may also take the same action."

After all, the Soviet Union wanted to open up the entire road to the south, rather than opening up the north and then having the south occupied by the United States. Now, Iran is busy fighting with Iraq, and the entire east is extremely empty.

"Yes, Andrei, you have thought it through very carefully." Andropov said, "I order you to be the commander-in-chief of this operation and be directly responsible to the Ministry of Defense!"

"Yes!" Andre stood at attention and saluted. The battle was ready.

"Comrade General Secretary, before that, we have a small problem that needs to be investigated." Andre said: "Nearly a hundred T-62 tanks appeared in the Iranian armored forces. We need to know the source of these tanks!"