Both branches of the Iranian parliament have granted dictatorial power to Premier Mossadegh for the next six months. He is having some trouble in attempting to convince the lower branch that martial law should be extended, but it would not be much of a surprise if these legislators changed their minds just as those 5 in the upper house changed their minds about refusing to let Mossadegh rule by decree. On the whole, it would seem that Mossadegh’s grip is stronger than ever.

There are those in Washington who, much as they may dislike the man and his methods, want to keep it that way. This is because they regard Mossadegh as the lesser of two evils, the worse being possible Communist control of Iran. There is no very precise information available as to the actual strength of the Red-dominated Tudeh party. But if Iranian affairs drift into utter chaos, a Communist putsch might become easy.

Our relations with Iran, however, will have to be handled with kid gloves. We shall have to give some consideration to British views, influenced as they are by the seizure of the Anglo-Iranian oil properties. And we shall have to be careful not to give the fanatical nationalists, who are Mossadegh’s strongest supporters, a chance for more anti-American propaganda. In short, developing events have not made our diplomatic talk any easier.