249. Memorandum From the Acting Chief of the Near East and Africa Division, Directorate of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency ([name not declassified]) to Mitchell1
Relative of Min Court Amini told source 22 July that Shah’s morale “greatly improved” during past week; that Shah confident, as result Eisenhower letter,2 that Shah now has American backing and lacks only assurance British support to inspire him to decisive move against Mossadeq.
Mossadeq “extremely nervous and unable take food since 21 July demonstrations.”
[Page 636]Chief police Modabar “angrily” rejected police report which stated that 4–5 thousand National Front and 10–15 thousand Tudehs participated in 21 July demonstrations. Modabar hurled report to desk shouting: “How can I give this to PM? How can I explain why we were able to turn out so few when we have spent 1 million tomans (approx $100,000)?”
Mossadeq “angry” at National Movement faction deputies for refusing 22 July to return to Majlis pending his decision whether to conduct referendum. Razavi, who carried deputies’ decision to Mossadeq left in huff, remarking: “He no longer has Majlis (as shield) between him and Shah.”
Gen Zahedi has become very active since leaving Majlis 20 July and probably will not return to bast.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DDO Files, Job 80–01701R, Box 3, Folder 12, Misc. Correspondence—TPAJAX. Secret. The recipient is referred to as “Mr. Mitchell” in the original and is not further identified.↩
- See Document 230.↩