800.20291/7: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran (Dreyfus)
425. Your 846 August 16, 3 p.m., and 831, August 12. Department agrees with your view that you should not oppose the arrests and that if you are approached by the Iranians you should explain the overriding military necessity for them.
We have studied the Mayer documents and see no good reason to doubt their authenticity although they do not appear conclusive as to the guilt of many persons named therein. However, since the British are responsible for security in southern Iran, the Department does not feel that it can object to security measures they may see fit to take unless it seems clear that the action is unnecessary.