891.20/165: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 14—12:43 p.m.]
260. Reference Department’s 195, July 28;22 and 138, May 27. I was formally approached a few days ago by two high Iranian military officers on behalf of Prime Minister with request that an American military mission come to Iran to reorganize the Army. I conferred yesterday at length with Prime and Foreign Ministers on subject. Prime Minister stated he wishes to have a complete American military mission to reorganize and train Army which is demoralized, inefficient, depleted in materials and almost disintegrated as result of invasion of country and he stated, for example, that British and Russians had taken more than 100,000 rifles and other war materials for which they had not yet made payment.
I told Qavam frankly that this brings up question of Iran’s position vis-à-vis the Allied cause to which he replied with equal frankness that it is true Iranian people and Army are anti-British and Russian because of invasion and of subsequent Allied treatment. He hastened to add that this request is not inconsistent with Iran’s position because country is strongly pro-American. I then stated my Government, in receiving his request for a military mission, would be interested in knowing whether he contemplated any kind of commitment to the United States such as adherence to Atlantic Charter,23 a military alliance, or a statement placing Iran solidly on side of United Nations. He replied that this is an important subject which he will have to consider carefully with his Cabinet.
I do not see how we can contribute to building up Iran Army unless specific and adequate guarantees are given that it will be used to support United Nations. In my opinion such guarantees would be against wishes of Iranian people and would run counter to Iran policy of refusal to fight for Allies, a policy based on terms of Anglo-Soviet-Iranian Treaty. It is difficult to see how any Iran Government could properly commit itself to such a course of action. Even if such guarantees are given we would have to consider (1) whether such reorganization of Iranian Army could be carried out in time to be of assistance in present emergency, (2) whether Iranian guarantees can be relied on in view of pro-German temper of masses and Army and presence of Germans in Caucasia and (3) what would be reactions of British and Soviets to such a mission. Department indicated in number 138 that British had suggested an American [Page 247] military mission to Iran. Iran Foreign Minister stated he had tried, without success, while in Russia to ascertain view of Soviet Government on subject and asked me to endeavor to do so.
I informed Harriman,24 on occasion of his visit here, of this démarche by Iran Government and he informed Churchill who showed interest and promised to give the matter consideration.
- Not printed.↩
- Joint statement by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill, August 14, 1941, Foreign Relations, 1941, vol. i, p. 367.↩
- W. Averell Harriman, Special Representative of the President, with rank of Minister, to expedite lend-lease aid to the British Empire.↩