800.24591/9–1445: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Murray) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—1:20 p.m.]
730. Note from Minister Foreign Affairs Sepahbodi dated September 9 but received September 12 conveys Iran Government’s congratulations on defeat of Japan and states: “The war being now entirely over in the interest of our victorious Allies it goes without saying that the Imperial Government awaits and expects the U S Government to agree to expedite the departure of its last soldier from Iranian soil.”
Note encloses copies of communications of same date sent to British and Soviet Ambassadors essential portions of which are identical and read as follows:
“I now wish to remind you that on the date Germany surrendered and the European War came to an end a note was written under No. 1119 dated May 19, 1945 stating that the presence in Iran of the forces of our Allies was no longer necessary and that it was suitable that they should evacuate Iranian territory in order that normal conditions could be restored in Iran. That note still remains without reply. In view of the great friendship and cordiality existing the Iran Government and people expected that this proposal would have been welcome and carried out by this time.
I wish to point out at this time that according to the tripartite pact the 6 months period after armistice during which Allied forces must have left Iran begins on Sunday September 2, 1945 the day war ceased with Japan.
[Page 409]The Foreign Ministry, therefore, in the name of the Imperial Government and the people of Iran who sincerely and cordially helped the war effort of their Allies with all the means in their hands except that Iranian soil should in conformity with article 5 of the tripartite pact be completely evacuated on March 2, 1946 when not even one person attached to Allied Army Air and Naval Forces should remain on Iranian soil and waters. This is the definitive date on which Iran should be evacuated according to the provisions of the tripartite pact and any action that might be taken in accordance with note No. 1119 for the evacuation of Iran before that date would be more greatly appreciated by the Iranian people.”
Substance of the notes was published Tehran yesterday. Full text follows by mail.1
Sent Department as 730, repeated Moscow as 225, London as 59.
- Copies of note 3084 to the American Ambassador and the notes to the British and Soviet Ambassadors were transmitted to the Department in despatch 104, October 3, 1945; none printed.↩