891.00/2040a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran (Dreyfus)
398. British Embassy informs us Foreign Office is concerned at activities of certain Iranians believed to be in contact with Axis agents in Iran. Foreign Office has asked Moscow to instruct Soviet Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran to join with British Minister in drawing up list of alleged offenders and in presenting this list to Iranian Foreign Ministry with request that persons in question be arrested.
Embassy says British Government would welcome our support in this, at least to the extent of informing Iranians, if they should approach you, that we concur in desirability of proposed arrests.
Please let us have your views.
For your information, Embassy tells us that Foreign Office concurred in suggestion of General Pownall and British Minister Tehran that it would be desirable to appoint Qavam-ol-Molk as Governor General of Fars. It is assumed, therefore, that his appointment as reported in your 801, August 4, was made at British request.