888.2553/10–552: Telegram
No. 221
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State1
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1375. 1. I called on PriMin at 11 this morn few minutes after departure of Middleton in order deliver msg. He was most courteous and passed considerable time in amenities apparently desiring to postpone moment of delivery of msg. I pointed out to him that in his recent ltr to Pres he had merely acknowledged receipt of joint msg and had enclosed copy of ltr addressed to Mr. Churchill commenting [Page 485] re that msg. Mosadeq wld note that Secy’s reply on behalf of Pres which I was giving him had confined itself to attempt to remove certain misapprehensions which PriMin seemed to have with regard to joint msg. While PriMin was reading Secy’s msg, he handed to me text of Brit msg which had been left with him by Middleton2 with request that I read it. Before commenting on US msg, he asked what I thought of Brit msg. I said that I cld not properly make any comment.
2. Mosadeq said that he was appreciative of clarification contained in US msg, but he was afraid that this clarification wld not entirely eradicate bad impression made in Iran by dispatch of joint msg. He was confident that Pres had signed joint msg in good faith; nevertheless that msg had not been helpful. He said what he needed just now was 49 million pounds and added with twinkle in his eye that he regretted that US had persuaded Brit not to give it. Despite PriMin’s attempts at humor, he was obviously much worried and during our brief conv several times he employed gesture which I have seen him use so often when under strain, that of holding his head in both hands and closing his eyes. Before my departure he said he really was puzzled. He did not know what Brit had in mind. It looked to him that they still were hoping to reduce Iran to such chaotic econ and finan position that Iran wld lose all power of resistance and again submit itself to Brit rule. I ventured to disagree with him saying I confident that Brit were just as anxious as he to come to agrmt which wld be fair to all concerned. The problem was difficult for UK as well as for Iran.
3. PriMin did not indicate what course of action he might follow.