Why was 1948 a pivotal year for the united states with regards to its involvement in the middle east? a) the u. s. began drilling for oil in the arabian peninsula. b) the u. s. to break the soviet blockade of the suez canal. c) the u. s. allied with iraq in its ongoing war with the country of iran. d) the u. s. was first to recognize the independence of the state of israel.