891.00/11–2145: Telegram

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

977. Gendarmerie sources say Soviets have turned back at Kabak two successive gendarme convoys with supplies destined for troop column now encamped outside Qazvin. Also report no one permitted pass Karaj en route Qazvin regardless of reason for travel.

[Page 440]

Understood Iranian Army has opened radio communication with Tabriz and reports all quiet there. However, despite this and press reports of calm in major towns of Azarbaijan, general area still takes most serious view of conditions. He says information given press is partly designed to calm public excitement.

Having as yet received no answer to request for [Russian] passes for trip to Tabriz by Embassy officers, I am seeing Soviet Chargé this evening on that subject and will also try to elicit some expression of his views and information on Azerbaijan affairs.

Murray