800.24591/8–745
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Chief of the Division of Middle Eastern Affairs (Minor)
| Participants: | Mr. Shayesteh, Minister of Iran |
| Mr. Loy W. Henderson, NEA | |
| Mr. George V. Allen, NEA | |
| Mr. Harold B. Minor, ME |
The Iranian Minister called today on instructions from his Government to express disappointment and regret at the action of the Potsdam Conference in limiting withdrawal of Allied forces to evacuation of the city of Tehran. He said his Government had hoped for complete withdrawal of Allied forces or at least evacuation of a large part of the country.
Mr. Allen said that while it is true the agreement is for evacuation only from the city of Tehran it was also agreed that further discussions will take place with regard to withdrawal from additional areas. He told the Minister that the subject of evacuation of foreign troops from Iran has been placed on the agenda of the first meeting of the Foreign Ministers in London.74 There is therefore still hope that more substantial withdrawal can be made. Both he and Mr. Henderson informed the Minister that he may inform his Government that [Page 391] the viewpoint of the United States Government has not changed. This Government continues to favor the withdrawal of Allied forces from Iran as soon as possible, and will lend its effort toward this end.
The Minister said he appreciated this attitude and would inform his Government. He said while they will still be disappointed at the action taken at least the situation still offers some hope.
- This meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, September 11–October 2, 1945, was attended by the Foreign Ministers of China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.↩