761.91/8–1248: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Iran
801. Deptel 678, July 15. Iran Emb attorney has informed Dept that Amb Ala is disappointed over failure of his Govt so far to reply to Ala–Entezam proposal that preparations be made now for communicating to UN Security Council at appropriate moment recent info bearing upon Iranian case still on SC agenda. Dept shares that disappointment, particularly in view of PriMin’s expression of personal agreement and his expectation of Shah’s approval (urtel 881, July 271). Shah’s conversation with Amb Caffery (Paris’ 4017, Aug. 3) certainly indicates his awareness of latest manifestations Soviet attitude toward Iran.
While we continue to feel that Berlin crisis makes public airing of Iran-Soviet differences undesirable at this moment (Deptel 628, July 5), we are apprehensive lest current Moscow conversations, whatever their outcome, might be followed by immediate focus of Soviet attention upon Iran. Recent Soviet activities in Iran, as summarized in urtel 946, Aug. 12, and M–296, Aug. 7, tend to confirm that prospect.
Whether Soviet Govt is contemplating military occupation of northern Iran on spurious though unrefuted basis 1921 Treaty, economic boycott undermining Iran Govt authority in Azerbaijan, widespread subversion or political pressure through reactivated Tudeh Party, or intensification war of nerves, Iran would be well advised to be prepared to publicize through UN at earliest appropriate moment Soviet threat to Iranian independence. To that end, you should energetically pursue subject already introduced to PriMin (urtel 881, July 27), with view to instructions being cabled Ala soonest so that he may be ready to make communication to SC as soon as he and Dept believe opportune moment has arrived.
If PriMin reflects Iran Govt hesitancy to act without assurance of US support, Dept is prepared, in view of continued Soviet misrepresentation [Page 174] of US activity in Iran (Istanbul’s 206, July 15, and Moscow’s 1366, July 20), to have US-UN Del take occasion of Iranian communication to SC (1) to refute Soviet charge of imperialistic US activity in Iran hostile to Soviet Union and (2) to express concurrence with Iranian thesis that SC is appropriate arbiter, (Deptel 637, July 8) of disputes threatening the peace.2
- Not printed; it Stated that Ambassador Wiley had complied with the instruction contained in the last paragraph of telegram 678, July 15, to Tehran, p. 161. The Prime Minister was said to nave “expressed entire agreement and stated he would at once communicate with Shah whose acquiescence he thought could be taken for granted.” (761.91/7–2748)↩
- Ambassador Wiley discussed telegram 801 with the Shah on August 31. The latter stated that “necessary instructions would be sent Ala immediately. I emphasized importance of consultation with Department regarding timing. Shah amiably noncommittal and it might be well to check with Ala to prevent premature initiative.” (telegram 1024, September 1, 11 a. m., 761.91/9–148)↩