340. Editorial Note
On October 8, the Shah delivered his speech from the throne marking the ceremonial opening of the Iranian Senate and declared Iran’s intentions of joining the Baghdad Pact. On October 12, Prime Minister Ala presented the Senate with a bill calling for ratification of Iran’s adherence to the Pact. On that same day, Soviet newspapers in Moscow reported that Molotov had warned the Iranian Chargé in Moscow that the Soviet Union attached serious significance to Iran’s adherence to the Pact, which Molotov described as contrary to good Soviet-Iranian relations and existing treaty relations. (Telegrams 603 and 622 from Tehran, October 8 and 12, and telegram 880 from Moscow, October 13; Department of State, Central Files, 780.5/ 10–855, 780.5/10–1255, and 661.88/10–1355, respectively)