Text of Premier Mossadegh’s Order (Sept. 1951)
| Arash Norouzi The Mossadegh Project | January 14, 2026 |
On Sept. 12, 1951, Premier Mossadegh informed U.S. envoy Averell Harriman of Iran’s requirements for continued negotiation with Britain over the
nationalization of Iranian oil.
Formal talks had been
suspended on August 22.
Chief among these was an ultimatum: unless British workers signed on to work for the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) within 15 days, Iran
would be compelled to expel the 300+ remaining British employees of the defunct
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.
(The majority of Britons were withdrawn in August, leaving behind only a few hundred essential workers).
Harriman refused to forward Mossadegh’s demand to the British as requested. Consequently, on Sept. 27, British personnel were told to leave their posts — and the country — by October 4.
Alarmed, the British Cabinet held an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis. Premier Clement Attlee sent an urgent appeal to
President Truman to commence a joint effort to
prevent the withdrawal, arguing it would have the “gravest consequences” for both countries.
On Sept. 29th, the Foreign Office
announced that although the use of force might be justified, Britain would
bring the dispute before the “appropriate
body” to secure international peace — the United Nations Security Council. Simultaneously, four British naval destroyers waited in the waters nearby Abadan.
The State Department appealed to Iran to cancel the ultimatum, dispatching Amb. Loy Henderson to attempt to persuade Mossadegh, to no avail. The U.S., they said in a statement (cited below), “stands ready to render any assistance
that it can in helping them to find a settlement of this difficult problem.”
Failing to get the UN to cancel the expulsion order, Britain chose to evacuate AIOC personnel on October 3rd, a day ahead of Iran’s deadline.
Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh’s
Telegram Ordering British AIOC Expulsion
September 26, 1951
Herewith is the decision of the Mixed Oil Commission which has also been sanctioned by the Cabinet and which is transmitted to you for execution.
In view of the undertaking given by the Government to the Senate and Majles that the fate of British technicians would be determined soon, the Cabinet notifies the Oil Board to inform British experts that since they have not agreed to
serve with the National Iranian Oil Company, their presence in Iran is redundant and there is no reason for their staying in Khuzestan.
Therefore they should within one week make preparations for departure from Iran.
To carry out the above order you are to notify immediately each British technician resident in the oil area individually that he is to quit Iranian territory within one week from the morning of Thursday, Sept. 27.
Nevertheless in the course of these seven days that they remain in Iran the conduct of the Iranian authorities and employees should be such that the British should have the best feelings towards Iran at the moment of their departure.
I must emphasize to the Oil Board the necessity for punctilious execution of the above decision, and further insist that until the last moment British technicians should benefit from traditional Iranian confidence.
• The number of Britons still in Iran is hard to quantify, the only consensus being it was over 300. It was reported in the press variously as 317, 330, or 350. The Foreign Office estimated the number was around 350.
Notices of Expulsion To
British AIOC Employees
September 27, 1951
We regret to inform you that since you have declined to accept employment with the National Iranian Oil Company your continued residence in Khuzestan has ceased to be effective and we must therefore ask you to hand over your former
duties not later than Thursday, October 4, 1951, to an Iranian who will be duly appointed and introduced.
You will continue to enjoy the facilities so far provided you by this company up to Thursday, October 4, by which date you are required to have left this country. Every effort will be made to extend to you necessary assistance as
hitherto, in order that the remaining days of your stay in Iran should be as pleasant possible.
• These hand delivered notices were signed by the temporary Board of Directors.
U.S. Department of State Statement
September 27, 1951
“The Iranian situation has become more tense following the report that the Iranian residence government intends to cancel the permits of the British staff remaining in Abadan. The Department is deeply concerned over these developments.
It earnestly hopes that the Iranian government will not implement this reported plan as this government sincerely believes that if it does so a solution to the oil controversy will be rendered far more difficult. This is the time
when it is most important that fluidity should be maintained.
The United States has consistently urged upon both parties the need for moderation and the avoidance of any steps which would militate against an amicable settlement.
The United States has emphasized to both the Iranian government and the British government that it stands ready to render any assistance that it can in helping them to find a settlement of this difficult problem.”
• Excerpted from a slightly longer statement to the media by State Department press officer Michael McDermott.
British Admiralty Statement
October 1, 1951
“Arrangements are in hand for the evacuation of the staff of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company from Abadan by warship on Wednesday. The members of the staff will be ferried to the warship in local Persian harbour craft. The whole of the evacuating staff will go aboard H.M.S. Mauritius.”
• The Admiralty was the governmental branch which commanded the Royal Navy.
British Foreign Office Statement
October 2, 1951
“The recourse by His Majesty’s Government to the Security Council in the Persian oil dispute is intended, among other things, to restore the position at Abadan. But in view of the uncertainties of the situation and necessity to provide against all eventualities, arrangements are being made to withdraw British staff at short notice.”
• A diplomatic correspondent for The Manchester Guardian in London described the statement as “magnificently vague and bureaucratic”.
AIOC Chairman William Fraser To
Departing British Employees
October 3, 1951
“At this time, when you and your staff are leaving a great industry which has been built up by you and your predecessors, I and my co-directors, together with all your colleagues in the United Kingdom and overseas, join in tribute to
your courage and tenacity in the face of the most difficult situations which have confronted the management and staff in the Company’s history.
You have the satisfaction of knowing that you have all fulfilled your duties in a manner which has been a source of pride to the British people. We look forward to welcoming you home.”
• Message from the Chairman, issued by Alec Mason, Assistant General Manager, the morning of the British evacuation.
Amb. Francis Shepherd To Alec Mason
October 3, 1951
“I appreciate the very great disappointment you must feel at being obliged to abandon, it only for a time, the great industry which you and your staff have helped to build up and which has been of such great benefit to Iran.
We must will still hope that truth and wiser counsels soon prevail.
Au revoir and good wishes to you all.”
• Message from the British Ambassador to Iran for Alec Mason, AIOC Assistant General Manager, attached to Fraser’s message.
Maj. Charles Francis Capper
October 3, 1951
“On behalf of the consulate staff, I wish you bon voyage and a well-deserved leave, and a speedy return.”
• Maj. Capper, British Consulate General at Khorramshahr. Capper himself, declared persona non grata, left Iran by government order the next day. His undiplomatic remarks coinciding with the arrival of the Harriman-Stokes mission in early August had caused Iran to formally complain to Britain, asking that he be recalled.
Related links:
Premier Clement Attlee’s Message To British Oil Workers (Aug. 23, 1951)
The Britons Who Hold On In Abadan | By An AIOC Official (1951)
Mossadegh Desires to Avoid UNSC Consideration of Oil Dispute (CIA, Oct. 10, 1951)
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”
