891.6363/8–247: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Iran
445. Dept’s thoughts on certain subjects discussed urtel 681, July 26 follow:
(1) Submission Soviet-Iranian Oil Accord to Majlis.
If Soviets do not accept Qavam’s invitation to negotiate further, we believe Iranian Govt would be well advised to submit proposals of Apr 4, 1946 to Majlis at earliest opportunity. It would appear that only Soviet willingness renegotiate proposals would release Qavam from obligation submit proposals to Majlis. First para London’s 4154, July 30 (rptd Tehran as 59) suggests possible advisability your inquiring Le Rougetel whether any approaches he may have made to Qavam this subject were on instruction FonOff.
(2) Counter-Proposals by Qavam.
Qavam’s invitation to Soviets to negotiate further implies desire consider alternative views and possibly compromise to indicated end of agreement upon some formula likely to obtain Majlis approval. Recent Soviet reaction to Iranian aviation request (urtel 666 July 24) indicates probability Soviet acceptance any proposal Majlis might approve for reason advanced by Shah (urtel 675 July 25). Alternatively, Soviets may wish prolong negotiations for purpose focusing world opinion upon Soviet exclusion from Middle East concessions and pressing for “friendly govt” in face of apparent Iranian rebuff.
(3) Soviet Petroleum Activity in Iran.
We agree that expression of our views should to extent possible continue (London’s 3899, July 17,1 rptd Tehran 56) be avoided at this time.
Position of Dept re desirable course of events will be sent for your background guidance at early date. In meantime, we approve Moscow’s endorsement your analysis (Embtel 2517 July 28,2 rptd Tehran as 23). While Pyman’s3 personal belief that Majlis might make certain reservation to USSR in turning down oil proposals has practical merit in allaying assumed Soviet obsession strategic considerations northern Iran (London’s 4154, July 30) we feel that such reservation would constitute recognition special interest single foreign power in given area supposedly sovereign nation.
Sent Tehran [445] rptd London 3316 Moscow 1553.