891.6363/835f: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran (Ford)
192. Your 176, March 9. Department has no objection to your mentioning to your interested colleagues fact that Draper is in Tehran representing Standard-Vacuum Company in negotiations connected with an oil concession, information which is beyond question already in their possession. Department believes it would be unwise to go beyond this simple statement, which represents the actual situation. You should avoid any action or statement which might give the Iranians cause to infer, or British oil interests at later date grounds to imply, that there exists any British-American understanding whatsoever to hold down cost of oil concession or to share any concession obtained.
With reference to Tass release setting forth Soviet claim to prior rights to petroleum concessions in north Department would welcome any further information you may obtain on subject.