891.00/12–545: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Murray) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 6—8:23 a.m.]
1068. Press today publishes further exchange of notes between Soviet Embassy and Iranian Govt.
In note of December 2 Soviet Embassy acknowledged two of more recent Iranian notes reiterating request that troops be permitted proceed Azerbaijan and referred Iran Govt to Soviet note of November 2692 on this point.
Iran Govt replied December 4 as follows:
“The Imperial Govt, considering the existing bonds of friendship, reciprocal engagements and the interest shown by the Embassy toward the note of the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. 5775 of Dec 1 in reply to that bearing the number 526 of Nov 26, 1945 from the Soviet Embassy, is absolutely certain that not only will the Soviet authorities not hinder the passage of the expeditionary forces stopped at Sharifabad in the neighborhood of Kazvin but that these authorities and particularly the military authorities of this friendly and Allied Govt will give proof of their understanding of all efforts made by the governmental authorities in northern provinces to restore the general welfare. In consequence beg you to send prompt instructions for the departure of the expeditionary forces stopped at Sharifabad so that existing difficulties may be removed as quickly as possible”.