674.84A/5–1151: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
5894. For the Secretary. At reception given by Morrison to King and Queen of Denmark last night, in response to question by me as to how things where going with him, he stated with some feeling that Iran was giving him concern and he hoped for US support. I said I was sure he could count on it in any constructive program UK might have. It seemed significant to me that he held up receiving line to tell me this as I shook hands with him.
Today I had lunch alone with Anthony Eden at his request. He said he had talked with Morrison about Iran with Churchill present, Eden told Morrison he felt oil sit in other parts of Near East wld tend to degenerate if Iran won out which it might unless something constructive were done by UK. Eden suggested to Morrison that UK shld force Suez Canal issue by sending destroyers with tankers thru Suez Canal and insisting on oil being transported freely thru canal. He seemed to believe that UK wld get away with it with Egypt and that it wld convince NE area that UK meant business and wld have salutary effect on Iran. I am not sure that Eden knew all the facts about Suez Canal but what he was saying was that the use of big stick directly in Suez wld be better than directly in Iran which might bring Soviets in from North. I expressed no view on matter but he gave me to understand that he expected me to pass his remarks on to his friend, Dean Acheson.