IOR/L/PS/12/552

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the occupation of Iran following the British-Soviet invasion 25 August 1941.

The discussion in the volume includes:

• consideration given to a restoration of the Qajar dynasty and possible candidates for the position of Shah (folio 297)
• the necessity of controlling Persia due to its vital importance for the defence of the Middle East and India
• the vital importance of keeping German forces out of Persia which would threaten India
• concerns about Germans established in key posts throughout the country
• the logistics and specific measures relating to the expulsion or internment of German advisors to the Shah

The volume includes the minutes (ff 93-95) of a meeting of the War Committee chaired by the Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill) and the policy agreed to accept the Persian offer to intern the Germans if implemented promptly.

The principal correspondents in the volume include the Viceroy; Secretary of State for India; the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Anthony Eden); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the War Cabinet; and HM Ambassador to Russia (Sir Stafford Cripps) .

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.