891.00/12–1246: Telegram
The Ambassador in Iran (Allen) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—10:10 a.m.]
1582. Azerbaijan situation is not entirely clear but it seems very probable the war is over. There has been very little fighting, in fact Gaflancu Pass was left undefended for some inexplicable reason, only one bridge in the pass being blown. Tehran troops occupied Mianeh at 3 p.m. yesterday without meeting resistance. Djavid telegraphed Qavam requesting termination of hostilities and saying he would go to Mianeh to arrange for peaceful occupation of Azerbaijan by govt troops. Qavam, in consultation with Shah, replied that his officers would discuss matter with Djavid in Tabriz. Meanwhile Chief of Staff ordered army to proceed to Tabriz in all haste.
There was division in Tabriz govt, Djavid and Shabostari who have been much less extreme than Pishevari and Daneshyan, favoring surrender while latter wanted to fight.31 Djavid presented question to Azerbaijan Council and gained majority. Extremists have fled from Tabriz, probably to Russia.
Soviet Ambassador called on Shah last night at 6:00. I have not yet received report of meeting but Shah assured me few minutes before Ambassador’s arrival that he had no intention of allowing Ambassador to frighten him or to let anything deter him from bringing Azerbaijan fully back under Iranian sovereignty now.
[Page 561]Soviets are said to have let Azerbaijanis know that USSR could furnish them little more than moral support, which was not enough in face of determined move by Central Govt forces. Qavam’s notification to Security Council seems to have been well-timed.
Tehran Govt and populace are rather in a daze, incredulous that war could be over so easily and hesitant to celebrate too early lest there be a hitch somewhere.
Repeated London 186 and Moscow 811.
- In telegram 1579, December 11, 1946, 3 p.m., Ambassador Allen advised of a telephone call from the Iranian Minister of War that he had received a telegram of surrender from Pishevari and Djavid at 2 p.m. (891.00/12–1146).↩