خارجي ٤١/٥٠٠٠(٢) "بلاد فارس: الوضع قبيل احتلال الحلفاء، وما بعده" [و‎‎٢‎٧‎٨] (٦٠٦/٥٥٥)

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WAR CABIKET DISTRIBUTION .
PROM: SOVIET UNION.
FROM MOSCOW TO POREIG-N OFFICE.
Sir S. Cripps. D. 6.10 p.m. 14th July, 1941 #
No. 805 . ~ R. 7.30 p.m. 14th July, 1941.
14th July, 1941.
& & &
IMMEDIATE .
Tehran telegram No. 427.
Not having soen.Tv,uurLN -^i 41 Q nor app arently
telegram No, 4S5 i am not clear what all^rnative is suggested,
I trust however that considerations of traditional policy will
not be allowed to weigh too heavily in the balance. Present
map of Europe provides an enlightening commentary on the policies
of both Germany and ourselves towards small neutral states; and
in the one case. (Norway) where we were prepared to abandon our
traditional policy, we were not quick enough off the mark. Time
l factor is at least as important now, t since in a fev«r weeks the
bU.S.S.R. may no longer be in a position to threaten Iran (Persia)
\at all. Method of gradually increased infiltration is obviously
Jinadequate in such circumstances; and prima facie there seems no
’reason why any demarche which His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran may
have in mind should not be simultaneously reinforced by military
demonstrat^ns. If these fail of their effect and we then feel unabL
to take positive military action, it will not be the first time in
history that a military threat has not been pushed to its logical
conclusion. Anglo:—Iranian relations, which notoriously are not
based on any very high degree of mutual confidence or friendship,
could not be greatly prejudiced thereby, and are anyway but a small
pawn in this game.