Office of the Historian

888.2553/7–1353: Telegram

No. 332
The Chargé in Iran (Mattison) to the Department of State1

secret
Tehran, July 13, 1953—2 p.m.

79. Have had number conversations with informed Iranians since publication Eisenhower–Mosadeq exchange.2 General attitude has [Page 735] been that personally they felt publication letters had been good thing as serving give clear definition US policy towards Iran. However they fearful of what extremist advisers Prime Minister might urge upon him as retaliation for US “rebuff”. Opposition believes its hands strengthened by exchange and this no doubt adds to discomfort Government.

At reported intervention Prime Minister Majlis failed meet July 12. Government apparently also decided refuse make appearance July 14 answer interpellation re use torture in Afshartus case until apology made for Deputy Minister Ashrafi’s alleged remark July 9 meeting to effect that if Mosadeq ill he should go to insane asylum. Already delicate Parliamentary situation further stirred up by opposition attempt interpellate Government on its foreign policy. Reports circulating that Prime Minister may ask for referendum presumably in the streets, and may attempt dissolve Majlis.

Government uncertainty increased by worry over significance recent events USSR. Although situation confused, it clear Mosadeq traversing difficult period which opposition seems intent on exploiting.

Embassy has unconfirmed indications Prime Minister may be discreetly passing word out that while he doesn’t desire any serious trouble that an incident or two against foreigners would not be seriously viewed by Government.

Mattison
  1. Also sent to London and pouched to Tabriz, Meshed, and Isfahan.↩

  2. On July 8, the Embassy in Tehran informed the Department that the Associated Press had obtained the essentials of President Eisenhower’s letter to Mosadeq that was transmitted to Tehran on June 30. The Embassy recommended that if the story appeared in the Iranian press, it would be desirable to release the exchange of letters simultaneously in Washington and Tehran. (Telegram 48; 888.2553/7–853) The Department instructed the Embassy on July 8 to seek Mosadeq’s approval of this course of action and suggested the release be timed for 4 p.m., July 9, Washington time. (Telegram 43; 888.2553/7–853) The Embassy in Tehran on July 9 reported that Mosadeq, while perceptibly distressed about the leak, agreed to publish the letters, though release in Tehran would be later than release in Washington. Mattison also said he had made it clear to Mosadeq that the leak had come from Iranian sources. (Telegram 56; 888.2553/7–953) The White House released the texts of the May 28 and June 29 letters on July 9. For texts, see Department of State Bulletin, July 20, 1953, p. 74.

    The following day, July 10, the Embassy in Tehran reported that Mosadeq also requested that the texts of his letter to the President dated Jan. 9 and the President’s response of Jan. 10 be released as well and suggested a release time of 2 p.m., Tehran time, July 11. (Telegram 58; 888.2553/7–1053) The Department responded on July 10 that although the President’s personal views had not been obtained, the White House agreed to this additional release on July 11 in conjunction with Tehran. (Telegram 70; 888.2553/7–1053) The White House released the texts of these letters as well on July 11. For texts, see Department of State Bulletin, July 20, 1953, p. 76.

    ↩