382. Telegram From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State1
1130. Over past several months reports submitted by Emb, Service, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] Attachés here have indicated rising discontent with govt and increasingly articulate criticism of govt, regime and of Shah himself. Criticism expressed in private or carefully worded if stated in Majlis. More recently rumors have been circulating in military circles concerning possibility of a coup. No talk of coup has been heard in NRM groups. Source of these rumors is unknown. Seems more in nature whispering campaign not believed to be part of a plot. Much of public discontent is directed against poor record Plan Org and focuses particularly on its director Ebtehaj. Hatred of him in Parl and govt circles has become almost pathological.
Exhaustive discussion of factors present internal situation by senior Emb Service [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] officers has resulted in consensus that while open criticism steadily mounting and now more vocal, this has been going on in varying degrees for months and while there is no evidence of various groups of critics consolidating, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] reports indicate existence of increasing liaison among some of them. Any violent action against regime in Emb view would require first class leadership and organization, at most only loosely knit at present. There would also have to be major participation by military whose present leadership is divided by dissension and rivalry.
[less than 1 line of source text not declassified] reports that at least as of several weeks ago Shah aware these rumors and inclined dismiss them.
[Page 881]When I inquired as to general domestic situation at outset audience with Shah this morning, he replied that “Everything is quiet, and my govt has complete control of country.”
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 788.00/1–2357. Secret.↩