Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/13497: Telegram

The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State

Baghdad, July 28, 1941—4 p.m.
[Received July 29—5:15 a.m.]

215. British Chief [of?] Staff informed me this morning that British have in effect sent ultimatum to Iranian Government to deport all German tourists, numbering it is estimated 2500. He says that British Army otherwise intends to move into Iran during first week of August and to occupy primarily Abadan and neighboring oil fields and perhaps bomb Tehran. Similar action against Afghanistan contemplated because of their acceptance as Minister of Von Hentig, Germans’ Colonel Lawrence of Persia during last war. Ennis⁶¹ requests inform War Department.

Sent to Tehran.

Knabenshue

61. Maj. Riley F. Ennis, Military Attaché in Iraq.