888.00 TA/9–453: Telegram
No. 364
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State1
584. Re Tecto 217 September 2, 1953 antepenultimate paragraph.2
[Page 790]At conclusion our conversation last night with Zahedi (Embtel 582 September 3 London 178)3 I referred in presence Warne and Paul to informal statement made by him to us on August 31, (Embtel 539, September 1 paragraph 2) to effect Iran would not sell strategic materials or commodities to Soviet Union. I said it might be extremely embarrassing to US if after we had begun extending aid to Iran on substantial scale Iran Government would begin sell strategic materials to Iron Curtain countries. It would be helpful therefore if Prime Minister could assure us again at this time that Iran would not sell to Soviet Union materials and commodities which US considered to be of strategic character. Embassy has prepared supply Prime Minister list these strategic materials prepared in accordance with US law commonly referred to as “Battle Act”. Prime Minister said he had no hesitation in giving us assurances not only that would Iran not sell materials of strategic character to Iron Curtain countries but that it would probably not sell some of the materials set forth in list of commodities mentioned in SovietIranian treaty signed earlier in day.
2. I hope this statement by Zahedi will satisfy Department and FOA re Iranian intentions not to sell strategic materials to Iron Curtain countries. We are privately providing Prime Minister with Battle Act list (Deptel 673 September 1).4
- Also sent to FOA and repeated to London.↩
- Reference is to the following question asked by FOA: Would Zahedi be agreeable to signing a formal commitment regarding East-West trade in compliance with the Battle Act? (888.00 TA/9–353)↩
- Not printed. (888.00 TA/9–353)↩
- Not printed. (460.889/9–153) On Sept. 11 the Department informed the Embassy that Zahedi’s statement was satisfactory for Battle Act purposes. (Telegram 750; 888.00 TA/9–353)↩