Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 1

761.91/7–748: Telegram

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

secret

Tehran, July 7, 1948—9 a. m.

778. General Grow tells me that following are highlights, according to Minister War Ahmedi, of Soviet attempts to force arms on Iran (Paragraph 5 mytel 770 July 4).

1. After conversation between Shah arid Stalin at time of Tehran conference,¹ Soviet Government made official offer of regiment or more tanks, and air unit and other items, to be manned by Russian and Iranian personnel, but this offer was rejected by Iran.

2. At time of Qashqai revolt in 1946, Soviet Embassy offered furnish equipment to put down revolt² and invited Iran Government to draw up list of what was desired. When list was presented Soviet Government, latter replied equipment in question was not available but indicated pricks at which certain surplus equipment, including tanks, would be available. Iranian Government cabled this second list to Washington for comparison with American prices, which proved much lower. At about this time, Tudeh members were purged from Qavam Cabinet. In circumstances, Iranian Government formally notified Soviet Government that offer was refused, and Ahmedi informed Grow no subsequent Soviet offer has been made to his knowledge.

3. Ahmedi assures Grow Iranian Government would under no circumstances accept Russian equipment or military advisers even as gift.

Wiley

1. For documentation on the meeting of President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Marshal Stalin at Tehran in late November and early December 1943, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, and ibid., 1943, volume iv .
2. Documentation on these developments is included in the section on Iran in ibid., 1946, volume vii , especially telegrams 5142, September 27, to Paris, and 1293, September 30, from Tehran, pp. 516 and 518, respectively.