740.0011 European War 1939/14005: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16—5 a.m.]
92. The British Minister informs me that he and the Soviet Ambassador will deliver parallel notes to the Iranian Government tomorrow afternoon. These notes will express the dissatisfaction of the two Governments that Iran has not seen fit to heed the warning given a month ago as to the danger to this country from Germans residing here and will make further insistent demands that a large part of them be expelled. The Iranians will be asked to furnish a list of Germans whom they wish to retain because their services are indispensable and the two Governments will offer their assistance in replacing them with nationals of other countries. They will stress that Great Britain and Russia have no designs against the territorial integrity or sovereignty of Iran.
Verbally on the occasion of the presentation of the notes the Iranian Government will be told that about four-fifths of all the Germans in Iran should be expelled by the end of August but certainly not later than the middle of September and that an answer to the notes will be expected within 3 days.
The verbal demands and the implied threat of military action make the notes a virtual ultimatum although the British Minister stresses that they are not intended as such. The British Minister left no [Page 398] doubt in my mind that unless the demands are complied with the Russians will occupy the north of Iran and the British the remainder.
My British colleague believes that the British in case of invasion will have the situation so soon in hand that the question of representation of British interests by this Legation will not arise.
Although predictions are dangerous it would seem likely that the demands will be refused, that the country will be invaded and that the Iranians will put up a weak gesture of resistance. Iranian troops and equipment have for some time been moving to the north and more recently to the south. The Shah is reported to be near the Turkish frontier inspecting troops.
I consider it not unlikely that if invasion comes the Shah will lose his throne.…
I have laid up supplies of necessary articles and have taken all possible precautions for the protection of our citizens in case of necessity.