219. Telegram From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State1
4684. Last night Dr. Gholam Mosadeq, son Prime Minister, told First Secretary Melbourne that week ago his father had received confirmatory evidence that large sum of money, some 400,000 rials, was being expended by opposition elements led by Kashani. This sum had been used to establish group new opposition newspapers and for other activities. Government had traced source of funds to Shah and court circles thus giving Prime Minister impression Shah’s duplicity. Shah while asserting his full support for Mosadeq and non-involvement in politics by prolonging his stay in Rmamsar, was in actuality subsidizing opposition.
Government taking steps counter such opposition moves and had already arrested one Abdol Eqbal (otherwise unidentifiable, no (repeat no) record Embassy files) who Mosadeq alleged was a leading pay-off man for opposition activities. Evidence was accumulating concerning others. Likewise in Isfahan area Askar Masud, son Sarem-E-Dowleh, who considered by government as British agent, had been arrested for alleged complicity in Bakhtiari tribal agitation sponsored by Abol Qasom Bakhtiar. Mosadeq claimed to have seen numerous letters between them. Mosadeq asserted that government-sponsored demonstration today, June 19, was designed counteract opposition propaganda typified by “unrepresentative” activity in Majlis and press and to give public, which was ardent supporter Prime Minister opportunity to show that support. He further claimed that demonstration would be carefully controlled and that government had no (repeat no) intention permit Tudeh adherents organize separate demonstrations or to allow any acts violence.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1950–1954, 788.00/6–1953. Confidential; Security Information; Priority. Also sent to London. Received at 8:53 a.m.↩