891.00/12–1745

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson)20

Participants: Mr. Acheson
Mr. Hussein Ala, Iranian Ambassador
Mr. Henderson

At the request of the Iranian Ambassador, Mr. Acheson received him this afternoon. Mr. Henderson was also present. The Ambassador handed to Mr. Acheson a copy of the note which his Government gave to Ambassador Murray on December 1321 in which the hope was expressed that the American delegation in Moscow would take up the question of the evacuation of troops from Iran.

The following are some of the points made by the Ambassador in the course of the conversation:

1.
The Iranian Government cannot recognize any kind of an autonomous or separatist government or any other kind of government which might be established in Azerbaijan in a manner not in accordance with the Iranian constitution and law.
2.
It is the hope of the Government of Iran that the Government of the United States will play the leading role in supporting the integrity of Iran during the conversations in Moscow. Since Great Britain considers itself an interested party, that Government, it is understood, feels that American leadership on the basis of principle would be more effective than British leadership.
3.
The Iranian Government has complete faith in the determination of the United States to maintain the principles involved in the Iranian problem, a problem which is much greater than merely the preservation of the sovereignty of Iran. The effectiveness and prestige of the United Nations Organization is certain to be affected by what happens to Iran at this time. If a permanent member of the Security Council should be permitted to interfere in the internal affairs of another member of the United Nations in good standing and to pursue a policy which deprives the latter of sovereignty over its territory or any portion of its territory, the whole United Nations Organization will be affected.
4.
The Iranian Government does not have the confidence in Great Britain that it possesses in the United States. It is fearful that Great Britain, in view of the importance which it ascribes to its position in southern Iran, may, in case it finds that the Soviet Union is determined to establish itself firmly in northern Iran, make arrangements with the Soviet Union which would result in Iran again being divided into spheres of British and Soviet influence.
5.
The Iranian Government insists, in case there should be a discussion in Moscow of questions relating to Iran other than those involving the evacuation of foreign troops and the free movement on [Page 501] Iranian territory of Iranian security forces, that the Government of Iran participate in the conversations in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Iranian-Soviet agreement.
6.
Iran, as a member of the Security Council, would be able to participate in discussions which might virtually affect its future. It hopes, therefore, that the American Government will support it as a temporary member of the Security Council.

Mr. Acheson assured the Ambassador that the United States continued as before to be interested in the maintenance of Iranian sovereignity. He added that he would send a telegram at once to Moscow informing the Secretary of State of the substance of the statements made to him by the Ambassador.22

  1. Approved by the Acting Secretary of State (Acheson).
  2. See telegram 1120, December 13, from Tehran, p. 492.
  3. This was done in telegram 2553, December 17, 1945, 10 p.m., to Moscow. (891.00/12–1745)