You obviously think it's pure and simple, but someone has to tell you. What the UK and the USA were doing in Iran (and other mid-East countries) in the fifties and up to end of seventies is one of the major causes. Perhaps islamic fundamentalism wouldn't gain so much ground without so much imported fertilizer.

It's a damn good thing that the U.S. and British intelligence helped to force Mohammed Mossadegh out of power. He nationalized the entire Iranian oil industry, and it's quite possible Iran would have eventually fallen under Communist rule had we and the British not gotten involved. It was a major strategic advantage.

Kevin