Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎20v] (40/749)

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A 'ppointmen ts — Civil.
6. —(i) Abdul Azim Ahmadi, to be Farmandar of Tabriz.
(ii) Mohamed All Oveisi, to be Under-Secretary of State for Commerce.
(iii) Baqir Fahimi, to be Persian Consul at Damascus.
(iv) Amir Assad is reported to have resigned his appointment as Governor
of Mahabad. A
(v) Mansur Rahmani, to be Farmandar of Bam.
Persian Army.
7. There is much secret intrigue in the army at present. Senior officers
are suspicious of each other; some fear pro-German plots, others fear
coups d'Etat. Those who are not pro-German are beginning to worry about the
fate that would befall them if the Germans were to reach to Persia.
A ppointmeivts — Military.
8. Sarwan Seyyid Ali Khan, Amir Sadri, to be Military Governor of the
Khamseh tribes.
Internal Security.
9. The prevailing lack of confidence in, and of respect for, the Government,
which is generally regarded as a British puppet, combined with a growing belief
that the war will reach Persia and anxiety regarding food supplies, all of which
provide excellent material for anti-Ally propaganda, are having a disturbing
effect on the country. Riots have occurred in Nahavend and Tuisarkhan and are
likely to occur in other places as demonstrations against the high prices and
scarcity of foodstuffs. The Allies, particularly the British, are blamed; where
there is misery feeling is easily aroused against the British and against the
corrupt Government which they are popularly supposed to support. The
atmosphere generally is favourable for attempts against British interests.
Pars.
10. Unconfirmed reports have been received that Nasir Qashgai is making
a landing ground near Firuzabad (degree sheet H. 39-W). Endeavour is being
made to clear up these reports and those of the presence with him of some
Germans. The approaches to Firuzabad are reported to be well guarded by
Nasir’s men.
11. The Qashgai tribes, who for a time were moderately well-behaved, are
showing an increasing tendency to plunder crops and herds. This may indicate
a growing confidence that they can do so with impunity.
Other Tribal A reas.
12. There are no new developments in Bakhtiari or Kurdistan. There are
reports that in Lurestan the chiefs are forming an anti-Government or anti-
British combination.
British Interests.
13. The Persian Government shows increasing reluctance to take action even
against well-known pro-Axis propagandists or suspected agents. The recent
arrest of certain Germans, who were in hiding, owed little to the action of the
Persian authorities, many, if not most, of whom are now engaged in protecting
rather than exposing friends of Germany.
Russian Interests.
14. Russians in Tehran do not conceal their opinion of the gravity of the
situation in Russia, but claim that they have grounds for confidence that they
will be able to prevent the Germans from gaining any decisive success before
the second front in Europe is opened. Russians in Persia appear to have under
stood statements made in London after the signing of the Anglo-Soviet Treaty
to mean that a second front would be opened this year.
15. The Soviet Consul at Rezaieh has toured the villages in the area
Rezaieh-Ushnu, has addressed both villagers and Kurds, reassuring the former
and expressing to the latter Soviet disapproval of lawlessness. His Majesty’s
Consul in Azerbaijan reports that co-operation between Russians and Persians
in the Rezaieh area now appears to be good.
Tehran, July 28, 1942.
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