740.0011 European War 1939/14463: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winnat)
3563. Reference is made to the telephone conversation on August 27 between the [Acting] Chief of the European Division and the Minister [Page 450] Counselor, and to the last paragraph, Section 2 of the Embassy’s no. 3925, August 28, 4 p.m., regarding Iran.28
In a reply dated September 2, 1941, to a message received from the Shah, the President has stated in part as follows:
“My Government has noted the statements to the Iranian Government by the British and Soviet Governments that they have no designs on the independence or territorial integrity of Iran. In view of the long-standing friendship between our two countries, my Government has already sought information from the British and Soviet Governments as to their immediate as well as long-range plans and intentions in Iran, and has suggested to them the advisability of a public statement to all free peoples reiterating the assurances already given to Your Majesty’s Government.”
You are requested to discuss this matter further with the Foreign Office as early as practicable in the light of the President’s message to the Shah quoted in part above and you should express the hope that sympathetic consideration may be given to our suggestion regarding the advisability of a public statement to all free peoples reiterating the assurances already given to the Government of the Shall by the British and Soviet Governments. Please also state that we desire to be kept informed of developments in the matter.
A communication similar to the foregoing is being sent to the Soviet Government.29