Office of the Historian

811.24591/5–2145: Telegram

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

Tehran, May 21, 1945—4 p.m.
[Received May 21—1:06 p.m.]

341. Embassy has received note from MinFonAff31 dated May 19 reading in substance as follows:

Sepahbodi extends congratulations on end of war. Since there is no further need for war operations in Iran and it is necessary to restore conditions to normal and so satisfy long cherished hope of Iranian people “Imperial Iranian Govt requests that the military forces of that (American) Govt evacuate Iranian soil”. Same request has been made of British and Soviet Ambassadors.

When he called on Ambassador Morris May 19, MinFonAff spoke of this note and said request for withdrawal was being sent to us primarily to avoid criticism by British and Russians who otherwise might complain of discrimination. He agreed with Morris remark that there was no need to worry about American troops departure as it had already begun.

Sepahbodi told Ambassador Iran Govt does not base its request for evacuation on letter of tripartite treaty and admitted article 5 of treaty entitled Allied Forces to remain until 6 months after end of Japanese war. He said, however, Iran feels spirit of treaty calls for withdrawal now because Allied Armies in Iran can contribute nothing to war against Japan.

Text of note follows by mail.32

Sent to Dept as 341 repeated to Moscow as 108 and London as 23.

Ward
  1. Anushiravan Sepahbodi, who became Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Hakimi Cabinet on May 10 and retained the position in the Sadr Cabinet of June 14.↩
  2. A copy of note 1118 was transmitted in despatch 309, May 22, 1945, from Tehran, neither printed; received June 1.↩