German Capabilities in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Note by the Secretary

b. Control of the Syrian littoral (specifically, of Tripoli and Haifa) would deny to British forces in the eastern Mediterranean their normal source of oil. Occupation of Northern Iraq would make that oil available to the Axis. A further advance to the head of the Persian Gulf would complete the denial to the Allies of their principal remaining sources of oil in the Eastern Hemisphere. The resulting Allied dependence upon American sources would impose a severe strain upon the available supply of tankers and escort vessels and would greatly hamper Allied military operations in the entire region of the Indian Ocean, from Australia to northeast Africa.