841.2391/7–2748: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
3410. Pyman July 26 referred to his earlier reference to Shah’s desire for fighter defense system (paragraph 4, Embassy’s 3103, July 101) and on own initiative conveyed following to Embassy. (See Tehran’s 864 and 869, July 23 to Department.)2
1. About two months ago Shah raised with British Embassy his desire to get air defense system established in Iran. Shah believes Soviet attack will be first against Persian Gulf and then against Mediterranean and that any delay forced by Iran would be valuable [Page 165] to US and UK: Consequently Shall wished to establish in south–west Iranian air defense system including early warning radar, ground control and fighters including jets. He said that to operate this base he would like RAF to train 200 Iranians. Shah also wanted armored force equipped with tanks to be stationed at Hamadan to attack flank Soviet advance. Shah suggested British reconnaissance party should be sent secretly to investigate possibilities fighter defense system in south-west Iran.
[Here follow paragraphs numbered two and three describing a communication from the British Ministry of Defence to the British Mission at Washington.]
4. British Military Mission was instructed to work out joint policy with US Chiefs of Staff. US–UK consultation having taken place Washington, British Military Mission reported having put forward following ideas and having secured US reactions as, noted:
- (a)
- Provision modern equipment to Iran should not be in advance of adequate training: US to supply tanks. To this US Military agree, pointing out that under $10,000,000 credit they had already earmarked 160 tanks and some 133 aircraft of various types.
- (b)
- UK to send one or two officers to Iran to study geographic possibilities air defense. To this US Military made no objection but suggested reconnaissance should be spread over long period since US and UK might be embarrassed if party turned in favorable recommendation and neither US or UK were able to supply modern equipment. US suggested that defense Bahrein might be used as cover for this operation but in light Iranian claims Bahrein, Pyman doubted that this was good idea.
- (c)
- US and UK should share training pilots. To this US Military agreed generally and pointed out that it would be unwise to mix British and, US aircraft in Iran. US suggested later talks this subject.
- (d)
- US to undertake training for armored force. To this US Military agreed and said that US Mission Iran could be expanded for this purpose.
5. In light foregoing Shah will be told informally this week an amalgam of US and UK views as expressed above. It will be pointed out to him that neither US nor UK know how their future jet fighter production programs will develop and that source of aircraft should in any case be source of training, British will suggest that Iran had better plan for present to make out with US aircraft (Paragraph 4(a) above) for which US may be able to train. British will probably undertake to look into the possibility of the eventual supply British jet aircraft (see Paragraph 4(c) above).
6. Embassy officer in order to be quite clear re British attitude, asked Pyman whether His Majesty’s Government entertains idea of establishing British air mission Iran, Pyman replied that British Government has no idea of establishing either an air or other military mission in Iran. He said that even if this idea were contemplated, the difficulties [Page 166] which US mission has encountered would be a deterrent. Pyman said that UK wished for fullest cooperation with US on all military matters (including air) in Iran. When rivalry within Iranian air force between pro-American and pro-British factions was mentioned, Pyman deplored this possibility and hoped that Shah would return from London with sounder ideas (Paragraph 5 above) which might help reduce such feelings.
7. Pyman asked foregoing should be treated Top Secret because there has not been an opportunity to brief Creswell as above. This will be done but he would prefer American Embassy Tehran not to mention question to Creswell until latter has more information.3
Sent Department 3410, repeated Tehran 64, Moscow by pouch.
- Not printed.↩
- Neither printed.↩
- Representatives of the United States and British Chiefs of Staff held a meeting on July 19 to discuss the Iranian pilots. The Department informed Tehran, on August 3, that the “Essence of American position at meeting was that surplus arras program will provide all equipment Iranians can absorb at present and US is prepared through Missions in Iran to carry out necessary training for use of that equipment.” (telegram 732 to Tehran, repeated to London, 841.2391/7–2748)↩