Office of the Historian

761.91/8–1248: Telegram

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

secret
Tehran, August 12, 1948—3 p. m.

946. Soviet activities Iran have been reported Embtels 874, July 25; 924, August 5; 936 August 10;1 908 July 31;2 Embassy airgrams 179, July 29 and 184 August 9.3 There has definitely been no indication of detente. Over recent months Soviets have done everything possible to build up fictitious juridical basis for possible invoking of treaty of 1921. Cessation normal commercial relations exerts heavy economic pressure on Iran. Departure of both Soviet Ambassador and Military Attaché for Russia on “vacation” coincided with presentation twelve-point demands by Soviet-dominated Tudeh party on government (Embtel 936, August 10). Though withdrawal Soviet schoolteachers, other personnel, children and other dependents in considerable numbers fits in pattern elsewhere public opinion Iran somewhat affected and disturbed.

Bread riots in several provincial cities Iran (Embassy’s airgram 192, August 12 [10]4) attributed subversive Tudeh activities not to shortage of grain. There has however been cessation provocative frontier incidents on part Soviets though there is unconfirmed report recent [Page 173] exchange rifle fire. Unconfirmed information from good sources allege Soviets have just given substantial financial support Tudeh. Iran attitude continues firm.

Sent Dept 946, repeated Baghdad 112, Jidda 74.

Dept repeat Moscow as 63.

Wiley
  1. Telegram 936 not printed; it reported indications that the Tudeh had shifted from a passive role to the offensive and listed twelve demands made by two Tudeh leaders in an interview with Prime Minister Hajir. The demands included, termination of the services of American military advisers, nonparticipation in “imperialistic and warmongering blocs” and prohibition of foreign borrowing by the Government (891.00/8–1048). Tehran, on August 22, advised that the Prime Minister was “convinced twelve demands did not result from party decision but were dictated by Soviets for the purpose of summarizing and crystallizing various demands made in past several months by Soviet Ambassador” (telegram 977, 891.00/8–2248).↩
  2. Not printed; but see footnote 2, p. 168.↩
  3. Neither printed.↩
  4. Not printed; it stated that the riots had taken place at Qazvin and Ardebil (891.9111 RR/8–1048).↩