Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

891.113/19: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran ( Dreyfus )

Washington , January 13, 1943—6 p.m.

26. Following from War Department: Your cable January 4th⁵³ and information from London indicate three Iranian munitions plants in Tehran area are not now producing munitions although negotiations are under way to resume munitions operation. We also understand these plants are needed for present production rolling stock replacements and copper (of unknown form) or proposed maintenance of transportation equipment. Your cable mentions only small arms production. We wish full information as to present utilization of plants and your opinion regarding best use of each in view of requirements of Persian Gulf Service Command, Iranian army and Russians. Also wish details of proposed agreement with Russians. Following the recommendation of Military Attaché in Tehran⁵⁴ his letter October 30th we are studying possible U. S. operation of these facilities for Lend Lease purposes. Initial investigation shows that munitions output could be utilized but that saving of shipping would be negligible except for moderate saving in case of ammunition plant. Since problem has many aspects and since little information available here suggest your reply be based on consultation with Ridley,⁵⁵ Connolly⁵⁶ and Military Attaché. If you feel U. S. operation feasible and desirable please supplement Military Attaché’s reports with further information regarding required equipment spare parts primers and raw materials, particularly steel, copper and zinc. We understand that technical men qualified to survey such facilities and their production possibilities are available on Connolly’s staff. [War Department.]

Hull

53. Telegram No. 7, p. 631.
54. Lt. Col. Joseph K. Baker.
55. Maj. Gen. Clarence S. Ridley, assigned by the War Department to act as military adviser to the Iranian Government on matters pertaining to the Services of Supply of the Iranian Army; for correspondence on the Ridley Mission, see pp. 510 ff., passim.
56. Maj. Gen. Donald H. Connolly, Commanding General, Persian Gulf Service Command.