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

891.00/7–1645: Telegram

The Ambassador in Iran (Murray) to the Secretary of State ⁶¹

Tehran, July 16, 1945—5 p.m.
[Received July 16—1:45 p.m.]

501. During private dinner with Shah on July 13, Minister of Court, Ala, being only other person present Shah talked at length and with great frankness of his fears for Iran’s future. Essence of his remarks was as follows:

1. Constant changing of weak governments brought about by present Majlis is disastrous. Shah greatly regrets he lacks constitutional power to dissolve Majlis and in fact has even less authority than European constitutional monarchs.

2. Iran needs strong Prime Minister but if he (Shah) were to take steps to place good man in office he would be attacked violently by Soviets as Fascist reactionary.

3. Whole question of Soviet policy toward Iran is gravely disturbing him. When I suggested San Francisco Conference indicated trend toward fair dealing and better understanding among nations with consequent hope for improved Irano-Soviet relations, he replied: “Yes, if Russia wants peace.” His thought seemed to be that Russia, like Nazi Germany up to 1939, is winning series of bloodless political victories and that test of her real intentions will come when these easy triumphs are no longer possible.

Although Ala has several times stated to me his own opinion that man like Qavam-es-Saltaneh is needed, Shah did not indicate his preference for Premiership and showed little enthusiasm when Qavam’s name was mentioned. He seemed strongly opposed to Seyid Zia.⁶²

British Ambassador has shown me telegram he sent his Foreign Office July 11 expressing view that Soviets appear to be making great effort to achieve position of dominance over Iran before withdrawal of troops takes place. Sir Reader is evidently much disturbed. His telegram cited increasing Soviet support of Tudeh⁶³ activities, (which are themselves increasing in scope), use of Tehran radio for political propaganda (mytel 492, July 14,⁶⁴), growing virulent anti-British attitude of pro-Russian newspapers and Pravda article (reported Moscow’s telegram July 12 [11]⁶⁵), said there is no doubt Kurdish independence movement being encouraged by Russians. Concluded Soviets probably not planning violent coup, although this would be conceivable, but rather aiming at domination of next Majlis through manipulation of coming elections.

As possible remedies for situation Bullard suggests wider publicity through visit of party of independent journalists, admission of foreign observers to all parts of Iran at time of elections, and withdrawal of British and Soviet troops from considerable area of country. (Even if withdrawal were only from Tehran, he thinks it would have heartening effect on Iranian Govt.)

Although I think Bullard is sometimes inclined to be alarmist, it is impossible not to be concerned at present state of affairs and ruthlessness of Soviet tactics. Pravda’s blast at Sadr Cabinet is exactly like attacks made on Saed⁶⁶ last fall and attempt made to broadcast article over Tehran radio (mytel July 15⁶⁷) is certainly astounding. I understand Soviet Ambassador declines to deal with Sadr or MinFonAff Sepahbodi, which is also reminiscent of Saed episode. Indications seem to be that Russians are determined to have at least reasonably favorable cabinet in power during elections, since Prime Minister and Interior Minister can exercise great influence in choice of deputies. Weakness of present Majlis plays into Soviet hands.

Sent to Dept as 501 repeated to Moscow as 162.

Murray

[Questions concerning Iran were discussed at the Tripartite Conference of Berlin, particularly the withdrawal of foreign troops from that country. The agreement of the participants on this matter was set forth in article XV of the Protocol of Proceedings of the Conference dated August 1, 1945, which stated: “It was agreed that Allied troops should be withdrawn immediately from Tehran, and that further stages of the withdrawal of troops from Iran should be considered at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in London in September, 1945.” This Protocol is printed in Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), volume II, page 1477. For references to discussions on Iran at the Conference, see ibid., volume I, index, page 1071, and ibid., volume II, index, page 1622.]

61. In telegram 366, July 20, 1945, 8 p.m., to Tehran, Acting Secretary of State Grew stated: “Information contained in urtel 501 July 16 extremely useful and a summary has been telegraphed to the SecState at the Conference.” (800.24/7–1645) For the telegraphic summary, see Document 1327, Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. ii, p. 1389.
62. Seyid Zia ed-Din Tabatabai, prominent Iranian politician and member of the Majlis.
63. Iranian Communist Party.

64. Not printed; it gave a summary of a Persian language broadcast by the Soviet Embassy in Iran over the Iranian Government radio station at Tehran on July 2. The broadcast denounced an alleged small but influential group in the United States which was said to consider victory over Nazi Germany cause for mourning and to be working for lenient treatment of Germany. The telegram concluded: “Although this broadcast was careful to avoid criticism of American Government or people as whole it seems to me in questionable taste for official Soviet representatives to direct such talk at Iranian audience over Iranian station on Iranian soil. In my view this is not comparable to Soviet criticisms of United States published and broadcast within USSR. British Ambassador also disturbed by this and other recent Soviet programs here which have strayed from line which would ordinarily be expected in building friendly relations between Iran and USSR.

    If it does not itself desire to take matter up, Department may wish to instruct me to ask Soviet Embassy to avoid future criticism of United States or American individuals in its official broadcasts and publications here.” (861.20291/7–1445)

65. No. 2510, not printed.
66. Mohammed Saed; his resignation as Iranian Prime Minister on November 9, 1944, was reported in telegram 832, November 9, 1944, 3 p.m., from Tehran, Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. v, p. 472.
67. Telegram 497, not printed; it stated: “Pravda article subject of Moscow’s telegram 2510, July 12 [11] was included in Soviet Embassy program over Radio Tehran July 13 and Director Iranian Propaganda Department cut it off the air before completion.” (891.00/7–1545)