The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1948, or Portsmouth treaty of 1948, was a treaty between Iraq and United Kingdom which was signed in Portsmouth, England in 15 January 1948. The treaty was an extension of the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty (1930) which tried to increase the British intrusion in Iraqi affairs. After Ernest Bevin, prime minister of Britain had sent a message on 22 January to the house of commons saying the priority to stop the soviets. in a memorandum dated 5 January 1948, Ernest Bevin presented his account of soviet policy according to which British and American interests were undermined everywhere by Soviet tactics. There was a risk, he thought, that the Communists would control France, Italy and Greece. If Soviet plans in Greece succeeded turkey also would collapse. consequently, the success of Russian expansionist designs would imperil the three elements of commonwealth defense, the security of the UK, the control of sea communications, and the defense of the middle East. On 8 January Bevin discussed with the Cabinet his idea of forming, with American backing a Western democratic system which would include France, the Benelux countries and Great Britain and which would eventually extend to comprise Italy, Greece and possibly Portugal. At a later stage Spain and Germany could also be included. The cabinet endorsed the proposal and on 13 January Washington was approached. Truman responded positively by promising to support the initiative. at the same time, Bevin communicated the idea to his french counterpart who agreed to co-operate. undoubtedly Bevin's speech gave rise to mixed feelings in Ankara. [1]