Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/14565: Telegram

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

Tehran, August 30, 1941—1 p.m.
[Received September 1—10:35 a.m.]

122. The British Minister has given me the following outline of the British terms which have just been received from London and which will be presented to the Iranian Government as soon as the Russian Ambassador receives his terms and instructions:

1.
The Russians will withdraw north of the following line: From the Iraq frontier to Ushnu [Ushnuiyeh] thence in an easterly direction through Miandoab [Miyanduab], Zenjan, and Kazvin; northeast to Khorrnabad [Khurramabad] (on the Caspian); east to Baboisar [Babul Sar?], south to Semnan [Samnan], northeast to Sharud [Shahrud], and north to the Russian border.
2.
British will withdraw west and south of following line: Khanekin [Khanaqin] eastward to Kermanshah; in southeasterly direction through Khorramabad [Khurramabad] (Luristan), Meidanenaft [Maidan-i-Naftun], Haft Kel, and Gach Saran; southwest to Bandar Dilam (on the Gulf).
3.
Occupation of both these zones will be temporary.
4.
Germans in Iran will be expelled within 1 week although a few technicians will be allowed to remain.
5.
Iranian Government will give full facilities for transit through Iran of war supplies and munitions but not troops.
6.
Iran will maintain a policy of strict neutrality.
7.
British and Russians will maintain friendly relations with Iran.
8.
British will continue to pay their oil royalties.

The terms do not seem to be as severe as had been expected and will no doubt be accepted without rejections by Iranians. It will be noted that the entire oil fields are included in British zone.

Dreyfus