Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

891.6363 Standard Oil/424: Telegram

The Chargé in Iran (Engert) to the Secretary of State

Tehran, January 8, 1940—9 a.m.
[Received 9:48 a.m.]

5. Department’s 71, December 27, 4 p.m. Prime Minister^52b tells me that under no circumstances would the Iranian Government consider granting the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey a concession which included an area in northern Iran but would be willing to negotiate regarding areas in the south.

I learn from a semi-official source that this decision is due entirely to Soviet insistence that Russia alone shall have the right to acquire oil concessions in the north, a rumor which was also current when I sent 112, October 3, 2 p.m.⁵³

Engert

1. Dr. Matine-Daftary.
53. Not printed.