Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/4471: Telegram

The Chargé in Iran ( Engert ) to the Secretary of State

Tehran , July 8, 1940—8 a.m.
[Received July 8—4:48 a.m.]

153. Recent statements attributed to members of the Soviet Embassy are to the effect that in view of the German discoveries in Paris of documents proving Allied designs on Baku and Batum the Soviet Government will probably find it necessary to demand certain guarantees which will render the execution of such plans impossible.

This is interpreted here as foreshadowing Russian territorial claims in northern Iran. See also my telegram No. 106, May 10, paragraph 2.

Engert