Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

800.24591/6–145

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson)

[Washington,] June 1, 1945.

I received the Iranian Minister at his request this afternoon. He referred to the recent suggestion of the Iranian Government that British, Russian, and American troops evacuate Iran now that the war in Europe has terminated. He said that of course this suggestion was not directed at the American troops but it was necessary to include them in order not to offend the Soviet and British Governments.

The Minister said that several days ago some of the Iranian delegates to the San Francisco conference, including himself, approached Mr. Eden on the subject of the withdrawal of British troops. Eden had informed them that the British troops would be called upon to withdraw at once provided that Soviet troops would also withdraw. Eden made it clear that Great Britain did not desire to maintain troops in Iran one day longer.

The Minister added that it was his understanding that Mr. Eden expected to make a formal statement within the next few days to Parliament⁴⁰ on the subject of British troops in Iran. He hoped that before this statement was made the American Government would find it possible to suggest to Russia and Great Britain that all foreign troops be withdrawn immediately from the country. Under the agreement existing between Iran, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union,⁴¹ British and Soviet troops were to be withdrawn from Iran within six months after the termination of the war with Germany and with the allies of Germany. Russia was not at present at war with any ally of Germany and Eden made it clear during the course of conversation at San Francisco that Great Britain had no intention of using its war with Japan as a pretext for keeping British troops in Iran.

I told the Minister that I would bring his request to the attention of the appropriate authorities of this Government.⁴²

40. No formal statement made; for questions by Members of Parliament addressed to Mr. Eden on the evacuation of foreign troops from Iran and the reply for the Government by Richard K. Law, Minister of Education, on June 6, see Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 411, col. 858.
41. The Treaty of Alliance of January 29, 1942.
42. A copy of this memorandum was transmitted to Acting Secretary of State Grew by Mr. Henderson the same day.