53. Editorial Note
On July 30, 1970, President Richard Nixon wrote Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, that the United States had given the matter of a special oil import quota for Iran “very careful thought.” Nixon continued, “I greatly regret that under the current program, we are unable to do anything in this regard in the foreseeable future.” He also wrote that the United States had urged several American firms to explore the practicality of purchasing Iranian oil to offset recent production decreases ordered in Libya. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 1 NEAR E) Nixon’s letter is published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969–1972, Document 80. The discussions with the oil companies to which Nixon referred took place June 29 and 30. See Document 52. Telegram 105171 to Tehran, July 1, contains a fuller account of the meetings. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 601, Country Files, Middle East, Iran, Vol. II)