Iranian Rumours
The prospect of increased Russian pressure on Iran is likely, though the evidence that it has already begun is still slight. Moat of the rumours of frontier incidents and diplomatic exchanges are based on third- and fourth-hand Press reports, though there was one authenticated incident about a month ago which resulted in the death of an Iranian soldier. The fact remains, however, that both the Russian Ambassador in Teheran and the Iranian Ambassador in Moscow have been recalled from their posts and Russia has closed some of her consulates, and these moves may well be a
deliberate climax to the continuous campaign against the Iranian Government which has been waged by the Russian Press and Radio for more than a year. The main ground for Russian complaint is the existence of American missions to the Iranian Army and Police Force, and there is an ominous undertone in the claim that these missions have converted Iran into an " American base " since, by the terms of the Russo-Persian treaty of 1921, Russia has the right to move in troops if Iran is made the base for a hostile power. It is probably no accident that the present propaganda war coincides with the negotiations for a new concession now being conducted in Teheran between the Iranian Government and representatives of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. The first stage of these negotiations is over, but there is no sign that a final agreement is near. No doubt the company is prepared to make a substantial increase in the present royalty figure of four shillings per metric ton, but the Iranian Government is believed to prefer that royalties should be reckoned on the total profits of the company. The question of royalties is only one of the points now under review ; there are many others, such as the employment of-Persians in senior company posts (the famous Article 16 of the concession), which are capable of proving equally formidable. It may be, however, that the rumbles from across the northern frontier will urge on the negotiators to bridge the considerable gulf which still separates them.
Previous page
