740.0011 European War 1939/30843: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran ( Ford )

52. With reference to your despatch 759, December 15,9 Iranian Minister here10 has not approached Department concerning resumption [Page 356] of negotiations for agreement covering presence of American forces in Iran. You may bring this fact to the attention of Iranian officials should inquiry be made.

The Department believes that the Prime Minister11 will agree on reflection that in his note of August 21 to the Legation quoted in Legation’s telegram 874, August 23,12 he did not intend to place the United States in an unfavorable light in a manner entirely unjustified by the facts. Please take this matter up informally and confidentially with the Prime Minister, making the discreet suggestion that in order to put the record straight he may desire to withdraw his note of August 21.

Hull
  1. Not printed.
  2. Mohammed Shayesteh.
  3. Ali Soheily.
  4. Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. iv, p. 471.