740.00115 European War 1939/1369: Telegram

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

129. Referring No. 124,21 I have consented at request of British Minister and with approval of Foreign Minister to act solely as transmitting agent in negotiations between British and German Ministers for disposition of Germans in Iran. The British Minister has offered following suggestion which he feels if accepted by all parties would offer a solution and prevent Germans falling into Russian hands: The German Legation and community would be free to arrange for sending all Germans to Ahwaz without interference by British, Russians, or Iranians; they would there be taken over by British military authorities for ultimate internment in India; certain Germans would be permitted to remain in Iran; the British would reserve liberty of action in case Germans did not carry out the arrangement faithfully and honestly; German Legation would remain in Tehran.

I have communicated the above to German Minister who will make reply as soon as he has consulted his Government and Iranian Foreign Minister. The British and Russians have no immediate intention of expelling any other Axis nationals.

Dreyfus
  1. Dated August 31, 10 a.m., p. 444.