Editorial Note
National Security Council document 73/4, “The Position of the United States With Respect to Possible Further Soviet Moves in the Light of the Korean Situation,” August 25, 1950, printed in volume I, page 375, recommended that in the event of overt attack by organized Soviet military forces against Iran: “The United States should initially rely on the United Kingdom for principal responsibility to assist Iran in meeting the aggression, should endeavor to induce Pakistan and India to take a leading role, and should deploy such forces to the Near and Middle East and the Persian Gulf areas as can be made available without jeopardizing United States security or its ability to implement emergency war plans.” Regarding possible nonmilitary moves by the Soviet Union with respect to Iran, National Security Council document 73/4 recommended that “In the event of internal subversion leading toward the establishment of a communist-dominated government in Iran, the United States should: a. Accelerate its assistance to the legitimate Iranian Government, b. Consider seeking an agreement in the UN on charging the USSR with direct responsibility for conditions in Iran.” (S/S–NSC Files, Lot 63L351, NSC 73 Series)