788.00/2–2353: Telegram
No. 303
The Ambassador in Iran (Henderson) to the Department of State1
niact
3356. 1. After events of day particularly after my conversation this evening with Prime Minister, I am more convinced than ever that his delay in answering oil proposals is connected with pressure which he is applying to Shah (Embtel 3336, February 22 repeated London 1077).2 It looks to me that he hopes to exploit undue optimism among public that he is about to succeed in solving oil problem on basis advantageous to Iran in order to obtain sufficient support to win his conflict with Shah and to crush his political enemies. If within next 2 or 3 days he is successful in stripping Shah of such rights and prestige as latter still possesses and in dispersing his opposition he in my opinion is likely with a reconstructed national movement behind him brusquely to reject our proposals without fear of internal repercussions. I am wondering in these circumstances if way could be found to expedite his decision re our oil proposals. If for instance would it be wise to inform him that we would be compelled to withdraw from discussions unless answer was given by certain hour on certain date? I hesitate to make suggestions of this kind, however, because (a) it took British at least month to give reply to his counterproposals and therefore, it might be difficult to explain why he cannot be allowed at least week to give his answer, and (b) Shah may capitulate and opposition may collapse before time set for our withdrawal from discussions and only result of setting time limit would therefore be to increase Mosadeq’s hostility toward west.
2. My doubts re Shah’s willingness to back any strong personality as successor to Mosadeq have been reinforced by information of absolutely reliable nature to effect that late yesterday Shah had expressed himself as still opposed to Zahedi and was trying to find some means of getting message to Ambassador Saleh inquiring if latter would be willing to accept premiership.
3. Ala plans to see me late this evening. He has just told me on phone that he was somewhat more optimistic. I may telegraph again if what he tells me will shed any additional light on situation.
- Also sent to London.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 301.↩