Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/4739: Telegram

The Chargé in Iran (Engert) to the Secretary of State

Tehran, July 18, 1940—11 a.m.
[Received 9:42 p.m.]

170. My telegram 153, July 7 [8], 8 a.m. It now seems reasonably certain that the Soviet Government has formulated definite demands of which the following are the most important.

1.
The cession or at least occupation by Soviet troops of northern Azerbaijan including Tabriz. Portion of Ghilan and of Gorgan to the Gorgan River including port of Bandarshah on the Caspian Sea.
2.
Control of the trans-Persian railway to the Persian Gulf.
3.
Use of all Iranian landing fields, see also my telegram No. 106, May 10, 9 a.m., and especially third paragraph.
Engert