Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXII, Iran

173. Letter From the Shah of Iran to President Johnson¹

Tehran, August 15, 1966.

Dear Mr. President,

The opportunity you have so kindly afforded me with your warm and cordial letter of July 20, 1966,² to discuss some questions of mutual interest is greatly appreciated, particularly as there has been a lapse of some time between our correspondence. I entirely agree with you on the necessity of candor between friends.

I am in full agreement with you, Mr. President, that our co-operation in military matters has been cordial and to the interest of both countries. Indeed, it is my strong feeling that this co-operation has been of much greater service in that it has contributed effectively to the maintenance of the peace of this region—a region fraught with danger and which, in my opinion, merits closer, deeper and more sympathetic attention, if we are to preserve, at least, the semblance of peace it now enjoys.

It gives me much satisfaction to note your interest in the continued stability of the Persian Gulf area. This area and my deep concern over its security have occupied my attention for some years. I have often discussed the problem with high American officials who must have reported my views to you. I feel that a strong and stable Iran can serve as a deterrent to any country around, which would, with scant respect for human or material loss, keep the region in a condition of constant turmoil only to further its own expansionist policy.

The unfolding situation in the area and its potential danger, as you have well put it, Mr. President, requires close scrutiny in order to provide against it before it is too late.

It is essential for Iran to enjoy peace and tranquility in order to be able to carry through her social and economic reforms now well under way. A strong Iran can, not only ensure such a condition, but also avert the spreading of conflicts in the region, guarantee the smooth and orderly flow of oil to the west and, what is of vital importance and worthy of serious consideration, forestall the repetition of current tragic and costly involvements. I therefore make no apology for repeating that the advantages of a strong and friendly Iran to the west should not be denied or minimized. It is my ardent hope that with our community of feeling and interest this co-operation and the happy and cordial association between our nations will continue to grow stronger and be consolidated.

I fully realize that your resources are burdened by your heavy commitments in other parts of the world and I feel grateful to you, Mr. President, for your concern for Iran’s security and for your continued intent to respond to Iran’s needs despite these commitments.

While I was writing this letter to you, Mr. Hoopes, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense arrived in Tehran and called on me with Mr. Armin Meyer your Ambassador and Major General Jablonsky. We had a long and useful discussion on various aspects of Iran’s military requirements. He gave me an account of your difficulties and limitations which I fully realize.

I do not intend to go over what we discussed since Mr. Hoopes will certainly make a full report to you. What I would like to stress here is the great responsibility I feel towards my people in this troubled area of the world. My most sacred duty is the safeguarding of my country’s independence and territorial integrity. Unfortunately, I can see little relief in the troubled Middle East situation, and future generations will not forgive me if I fail to pay every attention to my country’s defense requirements.

I have given instructions to my government to sign the necessary documents for the 200 million dollars credit, though this figure, I must say, still falls short of meeting Iran’s needs.

We have always maintained that from all standpoints, political, economic, strategic and also from the standpoint of helping Iran preserve her position as a factor of stability in this region, the production of Iran’s oil should be set at a level higher than what it is now. We see people around us who do not even know what to do with their oil revenues.

I fully appreciate your interest in Iran’s economic welfare and the progress we have achieved. I am resolved to see that while we make provisions for our defense requirements we do not jeopardize the rate of this progress. It is in pursuance of this policy that I need to husband our exchange resources in order to be able to cover the military requirements without hampering the rate of our economic development.

I welcome the possibility of a meeting between ourselves some time early next year. I have always found these personal contacts highly satisfactory and I look forward with much pleasure to this meeting with you. In the meantime may I express, Mr. President, my high esteem for you and the great importance I attach to the warm and deep friendship which binds our two countries.

Sincerely

M.R. Pahlavi

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL IRAN–US. Secret; Exdis. Attached to the source text is an August 22 memorandum from Read to Rostow stating that the enclosed letter had been delivered to the Department on August 22 under cover of a note from the Iranian Ambassador.
2. Document 158.