Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Near East and Africa, Volume VII

711.00/7–1546

Policy and Information Statement on Iran Prepared in the Department of State

[Extract]

secret

[Washington,] July 15, 1946.

I. Current US Policy Toward Iran

A. General Political. Our policy toward Iran is one of assistance in its efforts to strengthen the nation’s sovereignty and to raise living standards by democratic processes. This policy is embodied in both the Declaration Regarding Iran of December 1, 1943 and the Charter of the United Nations. In the Declaration, President Roosevelt, Marshal Stalin, and Prime Minister Churchill agreed that their Governments would continue economic assistance to Iran and gave assurances of respect for the maintenance of Iranian independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In the Charter, Iran and the United States, together with the other United Nations, subscribed to the principle of sovereign equality of states and the purpose of advancing human welfare.

The objectives of our policy toward Iran are: (1) To encourage friendly relations of Iran with all states, and thus prevent the loss of Iranian independence either by being divided into Soviet and British spheres of influence or by being absorbed into the Soviet orbit of satellite states; (2) to create a condition of internal security, and thus prevent a situation which might invite foreign intervention; (3) to produce a healthy internal economy so as to preserve a system of free enterprise and to nourish multilateral international trade, thereby preventing the growth of economic discontent and, in consequence, the possibility of a controlled, totalitarian economy; (4) to encourage democratic institutions and processes, and thus prevent the growth of a dictatorial regime which might either oppose or limit friendly intercourse with other nations.

Implementation of our policy toward Iran is sought by the following means:

(1) Diplomatic. Through Embassy channels, we have reiterated, and shall continue to stress our friendly concern for Iran’s well-being. This concern is expressed unilaterally, in the desire to avoid any appearance of a bloc more opposed to the Soviet Union than interested in Iran. Every opportunity is taken to make clear to the Iranian Government the danger to Iran of its present tendency to orient itself exclusively toward the Soviet Union. It may become necessary to remind the Iranian Government that the Declaration Regarding Iran was based upon the implicit desire of Iran itself to enjoy sovereign equality with other nations and that voluntary surrender of sovereignty by Iran to the Soviet Union relieves us of the obligations expressed in the Declaration. Through United Nations channels, we have supported, and will continue to support, Iran’s position as an independent state. Should a situation arise in Iran which might lead to international friction, we would not hesitate to support an investigation by the Security Council.

(2) Military. Our military policy does not at this time contemplate the use of force to achieve our objectives in Iran. During the war, this Government sent non-combat troops to Iran to assist in aid-to-Russia operations and sent, at the request of the Iranian Government, two advisory military missions—one to advise the Army in quartermaster matters, another to assist in the organization, training, and administration of the Gendarmerie, When the wartime purpose of Allied forces in Iran was achieved, US troops were withdrawn from Iran and US properties there almost entirely disposed of before January 1, 1946.⁷⁶ The UK and the USSR were asked by this Government to do likewise. Since the purpose of the two US military missions—namely, to assure an adequate internal security force—has not been achieved and since the Iranian Government desires their continuance, the Ridley–Schwarzkopf Missions remain in Iran. Effort is being made to obtain legislation granting the President authority to maintain military missions of this nature beyond the period of national emergency. So long as Congressional legislation permits their detail, and provided the Iranian Government desires and supports these missions, they will be made available. To enhance the success of the missions, we are assisting the Iranian Government in obtaining essential, non-combat supplies for the Iranian Army and the Gendarmerie.

(3) Economic. Our economic policy does not at present contemplate loans to Iran for political purposes. We are, however, prepared to extend advisory economic assistance to Iran upon request. Effort is being made to amend present legislation, which now permits the sending of official US civilian missions to certain countries, so that such missions can be sent, when appropriate, to any country, including Iran. Our policy is to channel economic assistance, in so far as possible, through the United Nations, the International Bank, and related international organizations on a coooperative, non-exclusive basis. It is our policy to discourage the present tendency of the Iranian Government to grant exclusive economic concessions to the Soviet Union and to make clear the political consequences of such an orientation.

(4) Information. By a planned program of information and cultural relations with Iran, we propose to bolster the desire of the Iranian people for independence and to influence their development along democratic lines. This program involves the demonstration, by all available media, of US institutions and opinions, against a background of factual reporting of world news not furnished by any other source. Should other means of implementing our Iranian policy become impaired, this means should be intensified proportionately. Since the validity and effectiveness of our policy depends upon the conviction and support of the American people, we insist upon the unfettered flow of news between Iran and the United States. The Department is considering an information program for the US public concerning Iran and the Middle East, with the view to emphasizing the importance of the area in US foreign relations.

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76. For documentation on the disposition of American military installations and other surplus property in Iran, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. viii, pp. 560 ff.