Spies warned of US plans to invade of Arab states

BRITISH spy chiefs secretly warned that the United States would be prepared to invade Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to seize their oilfields following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, it was disclosed yesterday.

Files released to the National Archives under the 30-year rule show the intelligence agencies believed the US was ready to take military action to prevent further disruption to their oil supplies. It followed the decision in October 1973 by the Arab nations to slash oil production sending prices rocketing while imposing a complete embargo on the Americans over their support for Israel.

Edward Heath's Conservative government, which adopted a more pro-Arab line, was still forced to draw up plans for petrol rationing after panic buying led to shortages at filling stations in South-East England.