Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

Joint Statement by President Truman and the Shahinshah of Iran (Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi)¹

December 30, 1949

His Imperial Majesty, the Shah of Iran, and the President of the United States have examined the relations between their two countries and the problems which they face in common. In the course of their conversations, it has been brought out that:

1. They believe the United Nations offers the best means of assuring a peaceful world. Both countries will continue to give the United Nations their unfaltering support and to work in close cooperation with it and its agencies.

2. A serious threat to international peace and security anywhere in the world is of direct concern to the United States. As long ago as December 1, 1943, when President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Marshal Stalin signed the three-power declaration at Tehran, the United States made clear its desire for the maintenance of the independence and integrity of Iran. The great interest of the United States in this regard has been repeatedly affirmed in its foreign policy declarations and the United States Government intends to continue that policy.

3. His Imperial Majesty believes, and the President concurs, that the ability of any country to maintain its independence is based on a sound and prosperous economy. For this reason, as far back as 1946, upon His Majesty’s advice, the Iranian Government took steps to pre pare a seven-year plan for economic and social progress which now, embodied into law, is being carried out with all the means at the Government’s disposal. The President appreciates the importance of this program to the economic development of Iran, and applications by the Iranian Government to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for economically justifiable loans to be used in the furtherance of the program will therefore receive the support of the United States. Subject to favorable Congressional action on the Point 4 program, the United States also stands ready to facilitate Iranian economic development through the provision under Point 4 and otherwise of technical advisory assistance if requested by Iran. His Majesty welcomes the assistance envisaged under the Point 4 program and is particularly aware of the desirability of increased investments of private capital in the Iranian economy. The Iranian Government will consider measures to be taken to encourage such investments.

4. It is the policy of the United States to help free peoples everywhere in the maintenance of their freedom wherever the aid which it is able to provide can be effective. As the result of recent Congressional authorization, and in response to the request of the Government of Iran, the Government of the United States is currently prepared to offer certain military assistance essential to enable Iran, as a nation dedicated to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, to develop effective measures for its self-defense in support of those purposes and principles. The United States will continue to bear in mind Iran’s defense needs in connection with further foreign assistance which may be considered by the United States Government.

1. Released on December 30 as the major portion of a press release by the White House; reprinted from Department of State Bulletin, January 9, 1950, p. 54. The portion of the press release not herein reprinted commented on the ending of the visit of the Shah.