Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎120r] (239/749)

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
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PERSIA.
SECRET.
‘E 4827/110/34
August 16, jL
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Sir R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—{Received MSth August.)
(No. 315.)
HIS Majesty’s representative presents his compliments to His Majesty’s
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary No. 31 for the period the 27th July to
the 2nd August, 1943, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
Tehran, 3rd August, 1943.
Enclosure.
Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No. 31 for the Period 21th July to
^nd August, 1943.
(Secret.)
Persian Affairs.
Political.
THE political situation remains unstable, but without dramatic develop
ments. The Prime Minister says that he intends to make several changes in the
Cabinet with a view to giving it at least the appearance of being more energetic,
more progressive and less venal. The Shah, who realises that his position has
greatly deteriorated in recent months, is anxious, disturbed by the openly
expressed criticism of himself, and, like his father, suspicious of most people
except nonentities. He seeks counsel from many quarters, and there are some
indications that advice given to him to refrain from intriguing and bribing and
other un-kingly pursuits may bear a little fruit. He is concerned at the alleged
growing influence of Qavam-es-Sultaneh, who he believes has Russian support,
and who, he knows, is hostile to himself. He has been seeing something recently
of the Deputy Dashti, who is now aspiring to be Prime Minister with the
support of the Adalat party. Seyyid Zia-ed-Din Tabatabai has informed his
friends that he is returning to Persia shortly. Whether in the face of Soviet and
Court opposition he will be able to secure enough support to become Prime
Minister is doubtful. The Government is far more concerned with consideration
.of these matters than with the growing disorder in Ears.
2 . Although Persians as a whole are much more concerned with the internal
affairs of the country than with the progress of the war, the fall of Mussolini
had a profound effect on public opinion. For most it removed any remaining
doubts as to the outcome of the war. Peace, some think, will come quickly. In
an address at a recent levee the Shah said : c ‘ Peace approaches. Persia must
now so act that in peace discussions she may take her rightful place and the
rights of the Persian people be safeguarded.” Many are asking what the position
of Persia will be after the war. How will she stand with the Allies, particularly
with Great Britain ? The bogey of bolshevism looms larger, and there is a clearer
sentiment that some effort should be made to conciliate Great Britain. In spite
of this hostile elements and Nazi sympathisers are very active, and they find
support among the many who for personal reasons do not desire to see order
established or reforms put into practice that would limit their opportunities for
, illicit profit.
3. The Deputy Nowbakht has announced his intention of interpellating the
Government in a series of questions which are attacks on the Government, the
Minister for War and the Allies, particularly the British. The Minister for War
will reply for the Government.
[*44—56]
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