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Speaking of oil, there was another forgotten war, when in 1941 both Soviet and British troops invaded Persia / Iran, secured the oil fields, and replaced the then-current Shakh with his son. Significant Soviet forces stayed in Iran until 1945, to prevent Germans from attempting to capture the oil fields.

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> Significant Soviet forces stayed in Iran until 1945, to prevent Germans from attempting to capture the oil fields.

Significant Soviet forces stayed there until 1946 - and they've tried to annex parts of Persia/Iran.

Soviets were always eager to annex something.

Though in 1942-43 when Soviets had to expend an enormous effort and spared no resource to annex back places like Stalingrad, the Soviet forces in Persia still stayed put. Their mission was seen utterly important.

Officially they were protecting western lend-lease route and fending off possible German incursions.

After Rubenthrop-Molotov pact there was a plan by Britain/France to invade Soviet Caucasus region to prevent them from supplying oil to the Nazi Germany. From what I remember the date was summer 41 and it was cancelled because Germany invaded USSR.

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