Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

891.24/10–2545: Telegram

The Ambassador in Iran (Murray) to the Secretary of State

Tehran, October 25, 1945—11 a.m.
[Received October 26—6:15 a.m.]

885. Embtel 868, October 22.⁸⁴ Stetson presented memorandum to Sadr⁸⁵ on October 23 offering all surplus property, movable and immovable, for sale to Iran Govt under conversion agreement.

Sadr now states at instance of Shah that Govt interested in acquisition of immovable property only at this time and that purchase will be paralleled by conversion agreement applicable to immovables only.

Since disposal movable property much simpler than disposal of immovables Embassy very much pleased this turn events and has suggested to Stetson that every possible effort be exerted to exploit this opportunity. Disposal immovables to Govt will release Persian Gulf Service Command⁸⁶ from claims which would certainly arise otherwise from contractual obligation to restore camp sites and other leased land to condition at time of occupation, and will dispose of Iranian contention that immovables are to pass gratis to Iran upon evacuation US forces. Furthermore without necessary maintenance which PGSC decreased personnel no longer able to furnish, buildings and structures will deteriorate rapidly upon advent rainy season therefore early disposal highly advisable. Also disposal will release Army personnel now engaged in guarding immovables.

Should we succeed in disposing immovables we shall nevertheless continue efforts persuade Iran Govt purchase all movables.

Attitude new Prime Minister Hakimi⁸⁷ toward acquisition surplus property by Govt not yet ascertained but interest of Shah in immovables will certainly prove strong factor.

Murray

84. Not printed.
85. Mohsen Sadr, Iranian Prime Minister.
86. The Persian Gulf Service Command (PGSC) had been detached from the United States Army Forces in the Middle East and renamed the Persian Gulf Command on December 10, 1943. Under General Order 83 issued by the Africa-Middle East Theater (AMET) on September 21, 1945, the Persian Gulf Command became a subcommand of AMET and once more was designated as the Persian Gulf Service Command.
87. Ibrahim Hakimi had become Iranian Prime Minister the previous day.