891.248/10–1248: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State
4472. Tehran’s 1174 October 5 to Department1. Reference jets for Iran. Pyman said October 11 that he recently attended meeting [on] Iran [of] Chiefs of Staff who decided that through joint staff mission Washington it would shortly communicate to US Chiefs of Staff that UK unable to produce large number jets for Iran in near future. However, in order not to dissipate entirely political advantage of Shah’s visit to UK they would like to make available a few jets not to exceed six which Iran might hope to purchase from manufacturer and receive delivery by end 1950 which, in any case is as early as Iranians could be trained to fly jets. According Pyman, British Chiefs of Staff will probably suggest to US counterpart further US–UK consultation on jets and inquire what US has found it possible to do for Iran regarding jets. In course such consultation British Chiefs may suggest that each country should tell Shah what it can do in this connection and let Shah choose (paragraph c Tehran’s reftel).
[Here follows paragraph numbered two which advised primarily that the British had no intention of sending an air training mission to Iran.]
Sent Department 4472, repeated Tehran 85.