740.0011 European War 1939/17364: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:45 p.m.]
255. The British Minister informs me in strictest confidence that he will leave Monday by air to meet Mr. Eden at Kuibyshev. While he did not divulge purpose of meeting I believe it may have to do with poor relations existing locally between Russians on one hand and British and Iranians on other. The atmosphere of mutual distrust in the contacts of these three creates confusion and disharmony thus obstructing carrying out of affairs of common interest. British and Iranians accuse Russians of lack of cooperation and of continuing to spread Communist propaganda in north while Russians accuse other two of lack of cooperation and in the case of Iranians of inventing stories to discredit the Soviets. The latest and most aggravated incident is the murder of several Turks and others in Tehran and Tabriz apparently for political reasons which the Iranians and some others lay at door of Bolshevik agents. Russians deny any part therein and as result are demanding that Iran Government reduce police force in Tabriz, withdraw Colonel Safe, Iranian police chief, and close newspaper Voice of Azerbaijan.
My opinion is that all three parties are to blame for this situation which I feel is detrimental to our common cause.