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

888.2553/12–353: Telegram

No. 393
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State¹

secret
niact

Tehran, December 3, 1953—10 a.m.

1227. Re Embtel December 2 to London 379, repeated to Department 1223.²

1. At Foreign Minister’s request I saw him 8:30 this morning. He told me that at 9:00 he would ask Swiss Minister transmit oral message to Eden that Government Iran had decided resume relations and that it was agreeable to issuance without alteration joint communiqué suggested by Eden. Swiss Minister would also be requested to inquire whether British Government would be agreeable to issuance at 2 p.m. Tehran time December 5.

2. Foreign Minister said now that it quite widely known Iranian Government preparing to resume relations, the sooner they could be resumed the better so end would be put to wild rumors which certain to circulate. He hoped by December 4 receive confirmation that hour mentioned would be acceptable to British Government.³

3. Foreign Minister added Iranian Government somewhat concerned lest contents communiqué would not be up to expectations Iranian public. Government convinced it was moving against public opinion in resuming relations without being able to show some advance in direction solution of oil problem. Nevertheless, government could understand logic British point of view that resumption should come before oil discussions and had decided prompt resumption would be in interest country. It was making this move in genuinely friendly spirit and was hoping to be able promote atmosphere mutual confidence and cordiality. Iranian Government by resuming relations under these conditions was burning its bridges. In order obtain support, Prime Minister and he had been assuring other members Cabinet as well as Iranian leaders outside government that they had reason believe British would approach oil problem in conciliatory and understanding spirit. They hoped British would realize that Iranian Government was taking seriously British expressions of good will toward Iran and depending upon British during course oil negotiations to assume attitude which would really accord with Iranian national aspirations. He would appreciate it if I could let British Government know what situation was and emphasize friendliness of present Iranian Government.

4. Foreign Minister said that in view state public opinion Prime Minister would be compelled make short radio address following issuance communiqué. This address would be friendly but in it would be statement to effect that oil problem must, of course, be settled strictly within framework existing Iranian legislation. I told him it extremely important Prime Minister make no statement to which British Government might feel it must take exception. Foreign Minister said he would do his best edit speech with that end in view. He hoped British Government would understand that speech this kind must be made in order to cushion reaction of public which, as he had already indicated, would be almost sure to be somewhat disappointed in text communiqué.

5. In response my question, Foreign Minister said that shortly after, or simultaneously with issuance communiqué, government spokesman would state that announcement would be made in near future re exchange of Ambassadors.⁴

Henderson

1. Sent to London as telegram 381 and repeated to the Department.
2. In telegram 379 Ambassador Henderson reported that he had spoken with the Foreign Minister, who informed him that on the evening of Nov. 30, Prime Minister Zahedi had held a Cabinet meeting to explain why it was necessary for Iran to reestablish relations as quickly as possible with the United Kingdom. The Cabinet response was so positive that neither Zahedi nor Entezam suggested nor were they confronted with any demands to make any changes in the text of Eden’s suggested joint communiqué (see Document 391). (641.88/12–253)
3. The Embassy in London informed the Department on Dec. 3 that the British Foreign Office had given the Swiss Minister a message to deliver to the Iranian Government that said that the British agreed that the joint communiqué should be announced at 2 p.m. Tehran time on Saturday, Dec. 5. (Telegram 2416; 888.2553/12–353)
4. On Dec. 5 the Embassy in Tehran informed the Department that the joint communiqué announcing the resumption of relations between the United Kingdom and Iran had been issued at 2:30 p.m. Tehran time, Dec. 5, and that the wording was identical to that in Document 391. (Telegram 1259; 641.88/12–553)