740.0011 European War 1939/14326: TelegramThe Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran
Washington, September 2, 1941 — 6 p.m.
80.For your information, the following is the text of a message from the President to the Shah dated September 2, 1941 in response to a message which the President received from His Majesty. It should also be considered as a response to the message of the Iranian Government transmitted by your 106, August 25, 6 p.m.
[Here follows text of telegram printed _supra_]HULL
740.0011 European War 1939/14641: TelegramPresident Roosevelt to the Shah of Iran
Washington, September 2, 1941.I have received Your Imperial Majesty’s communication regarding the recent entry of British and Russian forces into Iran. I have been following the course of events in Iran with close attention and have taken careful note of Your Majesty’s remarks.
I am persuaded that this situation is entitled to the serious consideration of all free nations including my own, and Your Majesty may rest assured that we are giving it such consideration and are maintaining our traditional attitude with respect to the basic principles involved.
At the same time I hope Your Majesty will concur with me in believing that we must view the situation in its full perspective of present world events and developments. Viewing the question in its entirety involves not only vital questions to which Your Imperial Majesty refers, but other basic considerations arising from Hitler’s ambition of world conquest. It is certain that movements of conquest by Germany will continue and will extend beyond Europe to Asia, Africa, and even to the Americas, unless they are stopped by military force. It is equally certain that those countries which desire to maintain their independence must engage in a great common effort if they are not to be engulfed one by one as has already happened to a large number of countries in Europe. In recognition of these truths, the Government and people of the United States of America, as is well known, are not only building up the defenses of this country with all possible speed, but they have also entered upon a very extensive program of material assistance to those countries which are actively engaged in resisting German ambition for world domination.
Your Imperial Majesty’s Minister at Washington is fully informed of this Government’s views on the international situation, and of the great effort on which this country is engaged, and I am certain that he has transmitted this information, based on his discussions here, to Your Majesty’s Government.
My Government has noted the statements to the Iranian Government by the British and Soviet Governments that they have no designs on the independence or territorial integrity of Iran. In view of the long-standing friendship between our two countries, my Government has already sought information from the British and Soviet Governments as to their immediate as well as long-range plans and intentions in Iran, and has suggested to them the advisability of a public statement to all free peoples of the world reiterating the assurances already given to Your Majesty’s Government.
I desire to assure Your Imperial Majesty of my good will and to renew to you the assurance of my sincere friendship.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
The Pittsburgh Press (September 2, 1941)
BRITISH, REDS, IRAN ABOUT TO SIGN PACT
London, Sept. 2 (UP) –
Authoritative informants said today that agreement in principle had been reached between Britain and Russia on one side and Iran on the other regarding the role of the Allied armies in Iran.
They added that they could not confirm reports that an agreement had actually been signed.
Many details must be decided with Iran, the informants said. One was whether the German legation would be permitted to remain open.