301. Letter From Secretary of Defense Clifford to the Shah of Iran1
Your Imperial Majesty:
Since your departure from Washington, my staff has looked carefully into the pricing of F–4 aircraft.2 As a result, I can assure you that Iran has paid no more than the costs our armed services would incur in purchasing the same number of aircraft at the same time. I do not expect this situation to change in the future.
I have asked Mr. Henry Kuss of my staff to discuss this matter in some detail with Governor Samii in order to resolve any questions which he may have on either past or future procurement.
It was indeed a pleasure to see you again. The occasion gave me an opportunity to re-acquaint myself with the great advances Iran has made in recent years under your wise leadership.
Sincerely,
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 73 A 1250, Iran 452, 29 Jun 68. No classification marking.↩
- A June 20 memorandum from Warnke to Clifford noted that in response to the Shah’s questioning of Clifford about aircraft prices paid by the U.S. Air Force versus those paid by Iran, Warnke wrote that Iran had paid no more, and in one case paid less, than the costs that the U.S. armed services would have incurred in purchasing the same number of aircraft of the same configuration at the same time. (Ibid.)↩