Chronology of Events (U.S. Embassy, May 1950)
| Arash Norouzi The Mossadegh Project | July 14, 2026 |
During the Cold War the U.S. Embassy in Tehran routinely compiled chronologies of recent political events in Iran. The following are curated extracts from a 13-page report, excluding all topics except those relating to the subject of Jews in Iran and its relations with the young state of Israel, which Iran granted de facto recognition in March.
788.00/6-950
FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SECURITY: RESTRICTED PRIORITY: AIR POUCH
TO: Department of State
FROM: TEHRAN 353 June 9, 1950. 1 Enclosure
SUBJECT: CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF POLITICAL EVENTS IN IRAN DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, 1950.
There is transmitted for the Department’s information a chronological summary of political events in Iran during the month of May, 1950.
For the Ambassador,
[signed]
Arthur L. Richards
Counselor of Embassy
Senate
(Israel)
Ex-Prime Minister Mohammad Sa’ed explains [the] Iranian Government’s recognition of Israel.
Jews
Press reports 800 Jews arrive in Tehran from Kurdistan where they had suffered persecution — to emigrate to Palestine.
Majlis
Asef, deputy from Kurdistan, denies there is anti-Semitic feeling there. [Asef Vaziri] States no connection with recent influx of Jewish Kurds to Tehran.
Anti-semitism
Press reports [of] anti-semitic feeling [have] recently arisen in Tehran. Tracts have been distributed along [the] following lines: “The Jew is the No. 1 Enemy of Iran and must be removed”.
Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Asghar Hekmat, re Israel
In [a] press interview, [the] former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Asghar Hekmat, questioned re Iran’s recognition of Israel, declared [that] Iranian policy while he was in office had been opposed to recognition without consultation
with other Moslem States. Stated he did not believe [the] present Acting Foreign Minister Ardalan [was] responsible for [the] recognition. [Ali Gholi Ardalan] Iran cannot benefit from recognition.
Senate
Ex-Prime Minister Sa’ed explains reasons for [the] recognition of Israel: a. protection of Iranians [in] that country; b. desire to study Israel affairs at first-hand; c. principles of [the] UN; d. belief that Arab countries though
not conferring with Iran were about to do [the] same.
Senate
(Israel)
Commission studies dossier on recognition of Israel on [the] request of Tadayyun. [Mohammad Tadayon] Dr. Ardalan, Acting Foreign Minister, [is] Member of Commission.
Senate
Dr. Tadayyun also attacks recognition of Israel.
• [Transcribed and annotated by Arash Norouzi — exclusive to the Mossadegh Project] [Bracketed text added for better readability.]
• Source: National Archives
Related links:
Iran Closes Its Consulate in Jerusalem | CIA, July 14, 1951
The Annual Register for the Year 1951 | IRAN (Persia)
Leading Personalities of Persia: Mossadegh (British bio, 1950)
MOSSADEGH t-shirts — “If I sit silently, I have sinned”
