891.00/2–2245: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Iran (Morris)
106. Your 112, February 22. In the view of this Government, the treaty of alliance between Great Britain, Russia, and Iran signed January 29, 194219 clearly indicates that Iranian forces remain responsible [Page 364] for maintenance of internal security in the country. In order to carry out this responsibility, these forces must naturally be permitted to operate in areas of tribal disturbance such as Rezaieh.
It would be difficult for the Russians to justify a refusal to permit the contemplated troop transfer, in view of the clear statement in Article 4 of the tripartite treaty that the presence of allied troops in Iran does not constitute a military occupation and will disturb as little as possible the administration and security forces of Iran.
However, whenever the Iranian Government finds it necessary to move troops within the country for internal security reasons, consultation between the Iranian military authorities and the British or Russian commands concerned would seem appropriate, in the interest of amicable relations and proper coordination of effort. The Shah’s reluctance to request Soviet permission to move Iranian troops is understandable, but action by him without any consultation or prior notification would be unwise in our view.
If requested you should advise the Iranian authorities to proceed in this matter in a forthright and friendly manner, informing the Soviet authorities, in a formal communication, of their need for sending forces to Rezaieh and of their intentions in this regard. The note might point out that the contemplated movement is in conformity with the Tripartite Pact and might state that the notification is being given the Russians in order that the Russians may facilitate the movement of the Iranian forces.
In reply to your last paragraph, Dept’s information concerning brief discussions regarding Iran which took place at Crimean Conference indicates latter is not pertinent to this question. You will be informed with regard to nature of discussion.
- Signed at Tehran, Department of State Bulletin, March 21, 1942, p. 249; for documentation on the attitude of the United States toward the treaty, see Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. iv, pp. 263 ff.↩