c) Protect Persian Gulf

The Carter Doctrine, articulated by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, declared that any attempt by an external force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region would be viewed as an assault on the vital interests of the United States. This doctrine was a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the instability in Iran, and it signaled a shift in U.S. foreign policy to protect its interests in the Persian Gulf. The doctrine emphasized the strategic importance of the region, particularly its oil reserves, and laid the groundwork for future U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. The Carter Doctrine was a significant moment in Cold War history, marking the expansion of U.S. commitment to maintaining stability and countering Soviet influence in a key geopolitical region.