Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Iran, 1951–1954, Volume X

888.2553/11–1453: Telegram

No. 386
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, November 14, 1953—1 p.m.

2099. Foreign Office has asked us to say, re your telegrams 1085,² 1087,³ and 1088 and our telegram 2084, repeated Tehran as 60,⁴ that Eden is most grateful for your efforts, and believes your answers to Persians were right in every particular.

He had hoped that his proposed message to the Persians in paragraph 4 our telegram 1969, repeated Tehran 56,⁵ might suffice permit them agree restore relations and believes it would be difficult go further meet Persian point view. Nevertheless, British are urgently considering whether some formula about oil, likely be found acceptable to Persians without giving away essential British principles, could be evolved and presented you for transmission Entezam. British will let us know result as soon as possible, but we must emphasize they not hopeful being able go much beyond message already proposed. We understand if they able evolve formula, it would be their intention seek your comments on it first and they would welcome any suggestions you might care offer about phraseology calculated to appeal to Persians without detriment to British.

Meanwhile, British think they should send Zahedi acknowledgement of his message Eden received through Swiss October 30.⁶ They are, therefore, giving Swiss Minister London following message for transmission:

Verbatim Text.

“Thank you for the message I received through the Swiss Government on October 30, about the resumption of diplomatic relations. I am very glad to know that you share my wish that this should be done as soon as possible. Obviously our countries should be in normal and direct touch. The problem of oil is complex and will require study and time to resolve, and I feel that for us to be in direct touch will help us both. I do not think that any useful contacts can be made except by way of properly accredited representatives.

I realize, however, that the resumption of diplomatic relations presents difficulties at this time to your government, and I am considering, in the light of your Foreign Minister’s comments as reported by Ambassador Henderson, whether there is anything further I can do to assist you in this respect.”⁷

Aldrich

1. Sent to Tehran as telegram 61 and repeated to the Department.
2. Not printed. (888.2553/11–1153)
3. See footnote 2, Document 384.
4. On Nov. 13 the Embassy reported in telegram 2084 that the British had expressed great appreciation for Henderson’s skillful handling of his conversations with the Shah, Zahedi, and Entezam and added that Henderson had taken exactly the proper line. Moreover, the British were giving high-level consideration to Henderson’s proposal contained in telegram 1088, Document 384. (Telegram 2084; 888.2553/11–1353)
5. Document 381.
6. Not printed. (888.2553/10–3153)
7. Ambassador Henderson reported on Nov. 16 that the previous day he informed the Foreign Minister that the British Government did not think it would be useful to solve outstanding differences between the two governments except by way of properly accredited representatives. The British were, however, studying the comments made by the Foreign Minister to Henderson to ascertain if there was anything they could do to make it politically easier for the Iranian Government to resume relations at once, and the Swiss Minister would probably deliver the British views during the next day or two. The Foreign Minister expressed his disappointment and said he would immediately inform the Prime Minister and the Shah. (Telegram 1116; 888.2553/11–1653)