Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

891.00/1957: Telegram

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

Tehran, December 3, 1942—5 p.m.
[Received December 3—11:46 a.m.]

413. Department’s 327, November 18. Food situation Tehran is deteriorating and it is not unlikely a major crisis is at hand. Sheridan⁷⁹ has only one day’s wheat supply in silo and is ready if necessary to open soup kitchens. He reports wheat from Azerbaijan is not coming as hoped but he attributes this more to Iranian inability to gather wheat than any lack Russian cooperation.

Reference Department’s No. 917 November 27.⁸⁰ I am informed British Army can at present promise to furnish only 1500 tons flour and MESC reports it has no reserve stocks which could be made available. In my opinion British here do not take a sufficiently serious view of this situation. Could not Department urge British to arrange for loan of wheat from some nearby country against replacement from the 25,000 tons being shipped.

Dreyfus

79. J. P. Sheridan, Food and Supply Adviser to the Iranian Government.
80. Telegram No. 917, November 27, 5 p.m., was from the Chargé at New Delhi; not printed.