Office of the Historian

296. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson1

Washington, June 12, 1968.

SUBJECT

  • Arms Agreement with the Shah

After hearing the warmth of your statement to the Shah, I’m sure this is just a formality.

However, we reserved for you the final go-ahead on making this year’s military credit sale to Iran the full $100 million. You earlier approved $75–100 million assuming available funds.

The Shah’s negotiator is here and will sign an agreement Friday if you approve. Secretaries Rusk and Clifford recommend you do so. Funds are available.2

Walt
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Iran, Memos & Miscellaneous, Vol. II, 1/66–1/69. Secret.↩
  2. The “Approve” option is checked on the source text and handwritten notes indicate that Harold Saunders was notified on June 12 and that he notified the Iranian desk the same day.↩