888.2553/2–1854: Telegram
No. 425
The Acting Secretary of
State to the Embassy in
Iran
1745. Limit distribution. Following is report Secretary’s conversation with Eden Feb 17 Berlin:
Iran. I said I did not think Anglo-Iranian could hold 50 per cent position. We were not trying to get larger US position, but only trying to meet political realities in Iran. Eden said that he had thought 50 per cent probably unobtainable, but hoped to get as close to this as possible with position for Dutch Shell. I emphasized US companies were not themselves seeking large participation, but only going along at Government request and that our judgment would be entirely a political judgment based on estimate Iran situation.