Office of the Historian

262. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran1

Washington, March 5, 1968, 0123Z.

124569. Eyes Only for Ambassador. For Ambassador from Under Secretary Rostow. We are concerned about the atmosphere and the implications of these charges and rumors. On their face, they are absurd. But what do they mean? We want not simply the factual ammunition required by the situation but your full evaluation of what these demarches represent, and your advice on how they should be handled. Needless to add, we do not take these transparent attempts to drive wedges seriously. But how serious are the suspicions and fears they represent?

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL IRAN–U.S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted and approved by Rostow on March 4.↩