Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXII, Iran

Editor:
  • Nina D. Howland
General Editor:
  • David S. Patterson

Overview

The volume focuses on the issues that primarily engaged high-level U.S. policymakers. Major topics include: 1) the efforts of President Johnson and U.S. policymakers to retain a close relationship with the Shah of Iran; 2) U.S. attempts to buttress Iran's internal security by encouraging a far-reaching program of political, social, and economic reform; 3) the conflict between U.S. support for Iranian economic development and reform as a check against internal upheaval or revolution and the Shah's insistence on spending more of Iran's growing oil revenues on weapons; 4) increased U.S. support for Iran's military modernization program; 5) the upsurge of anti-Americanism and opposition to the Shah's government following the October 1964 passage of a status of forces bill granting U.S. military personnel stationed in Iran and their dependents full diplomatic immunity; 6) U.S. efforts to prevent the Shah from buying arms from non-U.S. sources, especially the Soviet Union; and 7) U.S. determination to prevent the Soviet Union from gaining a foothold in Iran.

The editor included a selection of intelligence estimates and analyses seen by high-level policymakers, especially those that were sent to President Johnson.