740.0011 European War 1939/14490: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:15 p.m.]
318. In course of conversation referred to in my next previous telegram15 President Inonu expressed to British Ambassador his regret that British had not settled Iranian question by friendly negotiation; and Hugessen16 maintained that since January his Government had [Page 439] been making every possible effort to settle matter amicably with Iranian Government but had made no progress whatever and had been compelled to conclude that force was only solution. President also expressed regret that even if this action were necessary British had associated Soviets with them rather than undertaking operation alone; and Ambassador pointed out that if for no other reason it would be manifestly impossible for British in view of their manifold commitments elsewhere to involve themselves to possible extent of having to occupy whole of Iran, to which President assented.
2. During this friendly and intimate conversation Hugessen took occasion to state his understanding of present position of terms of a long-term policy of association with Britain concurrently with a short-term policy of conciliation of Germany and President fully acquiesced in this general statement.
Repeated to Iran.