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

740.0011 European War 1939/14282: Telegram

The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State

Tehran, August 24, 1941—10 p.m.
[Received August 25—2:55 a.m.]

103. The British Minister informs me that he will hand to the Iranian Government at 8 a.m., Monday morning,⁸⁸ a note which will (1) express disappointment that the Iranians have not heeded the British requests, (2) express regret that the British are now forced to take matters into their own hands to protect their interests, (3) reiterate that they have no designs against Iran’s integrity or sovereignty, and (4) express the hope that Iran will not resist since the British have no desire to cause harm to the country or its citizens.

Verbally the Minister will state that as soon as the British have taken steps to safeguard their interests they will wish to continue full cooperation with Iran.

I learn from the British Military Attaché that British troops will cross the Iranian frontier at dawn tomorrow. British planes will drop leaflets over the principal Iranian towns explaining the British position.

Dreyfus

88. August 25.