125. Monthly Report Prepared in the Office of Policy Coordination, Directorate of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency1
[Omitted here is part of the report unrelated to Iran.]
IRAN
The possibility of the rise to power by the politically ambitious Kashani increased during September. Kashani returned from Mecca and began to organize various anti-Mossadeq political, military and religious factions. [4 lines not declassified] Efforts to induce Kashani to take a strong anti-Soviet stand have failed, although Moslem clerics in Is[Page 359]fahan have obtained a statement from him denouncing “worshipers of foreigners.”
[1½ lines not declassified] This development satisfies a long-standing need in the anti-Soviet campaign. [2 lines not declassified]
Muzaffar Baghai, an important leader in the National Front, attempted [less than 1 line not declassified] to contact the CIA Senior Representative in Tehran. [3½ lines not declassified] Baghai controls a political party, the National Workers Party, a newspaper, Shahed, and both he and his deputy have seats in the Majlis. Furthermore, Baghai is a national figure in Iran, and control of him would be a very valuable asset.2
[2 paragraphs (10 lines) not declassified]
The station reports that the results of its dissemination program are difficult to measure, but an increasing anti-Tudeh line is evident in the local papers, pamphlets, and broadsheets. [1 line not declassified] Although there has been no noticable decrease in anti-U.S. articles, a somewhat more conciliatory tone is apparent.
[1 paragraph (8 lines) not declassified]