861.24591/3–846: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman)
us urgent niact
2108. Personal and top secret for Gallman only from the Secretary. Deptel 2053, Mar 6.4 You are instructed to inform Bevin in strictest [Page 346] confidence that, if a satisfactory reply to the United States note of Mar 6 is not received and if the Soviet Govt continues to retain troops in Iran against the wishes of the Iranian Govt, this Govt feels that it will have no choice but to place the matter without delay before the UN Security Council. Our action would be based on our obligations as a member of the United Nations and as a signatory of the Declaration Regarding Iran. This Govt would appreciate being informed whether the United Kingdom, as the third signatory of the Declaration Regarding Iran, desires to join the US in placing the Iranian question before the Security Council.5
Sent to London. Repeated to Tehran, no. 422, Personal and Top Secret for Murray6 from the Secretary, and to Moscow, no. 184, Personal and Top Secret for Kennan from the Secretary.
- Not printed, but see footnote 2, p. 342.↩
- Telegram 3004, March 14, 6 p.m., from London, reported that the British Foreign Office was preparing a reply to the Department’s query which “intended to mention the possible desirability of Iran’s bringing its own case before Security Council so as to avoid raising question of right of British and ourselves to vote in event we took joint initiative and also to make reference to the different positions in which British and ourselves would approach matter in view of their being parties to Anglo-Russian-Iranian treaty, whereas we would presumably emphasize our special interest in fulfillment of Tehran Declaration.” (861.24591/3–1446)↩
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In telegram 188, March 8, 5 p.m., the Department directed Ambassador Murray to inform the Shah of the substance of telegram 2108 to London. It then stated: “In your conversation with the Shah please stress the seriousness with which this Govt regards the assurances given by the late President Roosevelt when he signed the Declaration Regarding Iran.
“You may use your discretion regarding the extent to which you discuss this matter with Qavam and other appropriate Govt officials.” (861.24591/3–846)
In telegram 308, March 10, 5 p.m. Ambassador Murray replied: “I delivered Dept’s message to Shah this morning just before arrival of Qavam telling His Majesty that I hoped this information would strengthen his hand in dealing with Prime Minister if latter should prove to be so discouraged or depressed as to be in danger of weakening his attitude toward USSR. I emphasized strongly vital importance of continued firmness on part of Iran Govt in refusing to agree to presence Soviet troops in Iran. He likewise urged me to emphasize it to Prime Minister, which I shall do when I see Qavam late this afternoon.” (861.24591/3–1046)
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