891.00/1938: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant )
6255. Department’s 5604, November 7 and 5924, November 24. Tehran reports British Army arrested and interned at Sultanabad on December 8 General Zahidi, Governor-General of Isfahan. Both Shah and Prime Minister reported greatly upset and taking line that action was unfair because Iranian Government was not consulted and arbitrary because British had no right to make arrest. Shah has sent personal representative to register protest with our Minister.
Dreyfus states arrest has aggravated already critical situation which is evidenced by widespread and serious rioting in Tehran.
Please express to Foreign Office our concern over this development. We are particularly surprised that such apparently drastic action should have been taken in the light of the Foreign Office attitude reported in your 6651, November 25, from which we had understood that British Government shared our views regarding the advisability of proceeding cautiously and of taking no action without the concurrence of the Iranian authorities.