891.001 Pahlavi, Reza Shah/2–449: Telegram
The Chargé in Iran (Somerville) to the Secretary of State
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119. Shah shot in face and side this afternoon by alleged member fanatical Moslem society “Parcham–I–Islam” (Flag of Islam), during celebration anniversary establishment Tehran University. Wounds not believed serious and eyewitness informs Embassy he saw Shah alive in car presumably on way to hospital.
Shah was mounting law school steps when man posing as photoggrapher approached him, pulled out gun, and shot him in mouth and cheek obviously with intent to kill. Bullet reportedly did not touch bone. Attacker then shot Shah in body causing flesh wound.
Attacker was seized by bodyguard (50 soldiers), dragged to side and shot to death. Police and soldiers maintained order in crowd which was dismissed in good order.
Further information follows.
I have sent message congratulating Shah on escape.1
Sent Department; repeated London 19, Moscow 8.
- President Truman, in a telegram to the Shah on
February 4, stated: “I am deeply distressed at information
received from the American Embassy at Tehran that an attack has
been made on Your Majesty. I am, however, pleased to learn that
later reports on your condition are reassuring. The people of
the United States join me in wishing you a speedy recovery.”
(891.001 Pahlavi, Reza Shah/2–449)
As a result of the assassination attempt, the Iranian Government, on the night of February 4, declared martial law, outlawed the Tudeh Party, the Communist Party in Iran, and made many arrests (telegram 120, February 5, 10 a. m., from Tehran, 891 Pahlavi, Reza Shah/2–549).
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