891.00/1867: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
362. Iranian Ambassador called on me this morning and informed me as follows:
Iranian Government is seriously concerned with disturbances taking place among Kurds in Azerbaijan, principally in neighborhood of Urmia and Lake Urmia. Although large Soviet forces believed to number 20,000 troops including mechanized units are occupying Azerbaijan they have taken no steps to suppress or discourage activities of about 3,000 Kurds but are believed to be encouraging their rebellious conduct. Repeated requests by Iranian Government for permission to send its own forces into this area for purpose of dealing with Kurds have been refused by Soviet. Iranian Government continues desirous of suppressing these disorders and would be glad to send necessary forces [to] accomplish this purpose if Soviet authorities will grant necessary permission. Iranian Government is [Page 321] suspicious of motives of Soviet force of occupation in not taking necessary measures.
Ambassador expressed opinion that motive of Soviet Government in refusing permission to Iranian authorities to enter area where disturbances have been taking place or in alternative taking action themselves is to bring pressure to bear on Turk Government in connection with future demands by engendering fear that disorders will spread to Kurds on Turkish side of frontier.
I have learned from his son-in-law that Iranian Ambassador in Kuibyshev called on Stalin in Moscow about 2 weeks ago to discuss foregoing subject.
Repeated to Tehran and Kuibyshev.