711.91/7–1244
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Stimson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have pleasure in enclosing a paraphrase of a telegram which has been sent to our Legation in Tehran89 outlining the policy of this Government toward Iran. You will observe that, while we have stated clearly that it is not our intention to stand beside Iran as a buffer for the purpose of restraining other countries in their dealings with Iran, we contemplate a considerably more active policy with regard to Iran than has been necessary in the past. The telegram makes clear that we shall not enter into any undertaking in the nature of a unilateral obligation to defend Iran’s independence by force of arms. The chief elements of American policy in Iran is to strengthen the country to the extent feasible, for international security reasons, and to protect the increasing American interests there, notably in the field of commerce, petroleum, and aviation.
Since the more positive policy we contemplate in furtherance of American aims in Iran can be carried out successfully only by the combined efforts of all agencies of the American Government, working as a team with a full understanding of the issues involved and awareness of the important part to be played by each individual and agency, the cooperation of the War Department and its representative in Iran will be of the greatest importance. It would be helpful if you could cause this information to be brought to the attention of the appropriate officials of the War Department and Persian Gulf Command, in order that they may be aware of the policy and make their important contribution toward its implementation.
Sincerely yours,
- Telegram 462, July 31, 8 p.m., supra.↩