IOR/L/PS/12/3491A

Secret papers and correspondence concerning the British Government’s response to the potential threat of Soviet Communist penetration in Persia [Iran] and a perceived increase in influence of the Tudeh Party within the Persian Government. The political crisis was triggered by events at the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company’s refinery at Abadan in July 1946, covered in full in Coll 28/85S (1) ‘Persia. Abadan and S. W. Persian oilfields; Protection of British interests.’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3490A).

The papers include: an appreciation of the political situation in Persia, along with recommendations for British propaganda activities to counter the Soviet threat, prepared by HM Ambassador at Tehran, John Haller Le Rougetel; a response to Le Rougetel’s recommendations, prepared by the Assistant Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Robert George Howe; a further response to Le Rougetel’s recommendations from the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, Hugh Weightman; instructions sent by Le Rougtel to British consular officials in Persia, in response to events at Abadan.

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.