761.91/11–544: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 6—12:53 p.m.]
819. During conversation with Soviet Ambassador Maximov on November 3 British Ambassador expressed hope differences between Soviet Embassy and Iranian Government over oil concession would be [Page 470] adjusted. Maximov seemed to have great difficulty controlling himself and replied that there had never been any dispute over oil concession, that difficulty was solely with Saed personally. From this and reports received through sources close to Soviet Embassy Bullard thinks Russians have decided to take line that Saed is personally unfriendly to USSR and tinged with fascism and that this rather than refusal of concession is cause of their dissatisfaction.
Sent to Department, repeated to Moscow.