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(ii) It is reported that a narrow-gauge railway already exists between
Azi Kabul-Lenkoran. This is being extended to Astara, and may later be
converted into ordinary Russian gauge.
(iii) Iranians generally are delighted at the German attack on Russia, but
they do not seem to look beyond the present and to speculate on what will happen
to them if the Germans come down to the borders of Iran.
(iv) It is reported that the Soviet military authorities have already given
orders for the sabotage of the oil-fields, pipe-line and oil port at Batum and Baku
should the Germans attack the Caucasus.
(v) The Soviet authorities are interested in engaging Czechoslovak and other
foreigners as specialists for coal-mines, glass-works, textiles and armament works.
6 . Iraqi Interests.
(i) The Iraqi refugees still remain in Tehran. The ex-Mufti of Jerusalem
is said to be constantly quarrelling with Rashid Ali owing to their differing
opinions as to how, and particularly when, the rising in Iraq should have taken
place. The ex-Mufti is of the opinion that the outbreak should not have
taken place until German help was at hand, but Rashid Ali rushed things.
The ex-Mufti’s special friend is Musa Shahbanda’s (the ex-Foreign Minister)
brother.
(ii) A new Iraqi Minister, Daud-al-Haidari, has recently arrived in Tehran.
7. German Interests.
(i) A party of twenty-six German sailors from the interned German vessels at
Bandar Shahpur arrived from Ahwaz for “ six weeks’ stay ” at Demavand near
Tehran. They were received by members of the German Legation at the railway
station.
(ii) On the 10 th June a large fire broke out in the “ godowns " of
Dehdashti Bros, at Ahwaz. The warehouses contained, amongst other goods, some
2,000 bales of wool destined for Germany. About 700 bales were totally destroyed.
The loss is covered by insurance.
8 . French Interests.
(i) The French Military Attache, Chef de Bataillon Alessandri. has
recently received a reprimand from the Ministry of War at Vichy for his
indiscretion at being seen about too often in public with the British Military
Attache. He has been warned that, if further complaints are received from the
Joint Franco-German Armistice Commission, he will be relieved immediately.
(ii) Professor Girshman of the Louvre Museum Archseological Mission in
Iran has been ordered to proceed to Afghanistan to take over the French
^archaeological work in that country. Professor Girshman is a strong de Gaullist
and obtained the permission of General Catroux before consenting to take up this
new appointment.
D. Italian Interests.
(i) Commander Luigi Mola, the Italian Naval and Air Attache, has handed
over his duties to Commander Duca de Longano Monaco, Royal Italian navy.
Commander Mola has been in Iran for the past three years. He expects to leave
for Italy shortly via Istanbul, accompanied by his English wife. Commander
Monaco has also a wife who is half English.
(ii) On the 25th June the Iranian press contained a strong rebuke on the
Italian radio station of Bari for its broadcast of the 24th June, which apparently
stated that Iran was about to attack Russia to regain her former provinces in the
Caucasus.
10. Roumanian Interests.
The Roumanian Government, after closing down the Roumanian Legation in
Tehran in November 1940, have again sent diplomatic representatives. The new
Roumanian Minister is M. Alexandre Alexandrescu, and the new Roumanian
Vice-Consul M. C. Eliad, formerly captain, artillery, now Roumanian
General Staff.
H. J. UNDERWOOD, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Military Attache.
Tehran, June 28, 1941.