TEHERAN: New York Times correspondent C.L. Sulzberger, in an interview with the Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, reported that the Shah said Iran deserves complete and sympathetic recognition by the United Nations for the part she had played in the war as a faithful ally since 1941.

Sulzberger’s dispatch said: The Shah declared Iran welcomes signs that a positive and crystallised U.S. foreign policy is developing in the Middle East and, after the war, and the evacuation of foreign troops from Iranian soil, Iran looks forward to increasing economic ties with America. Speaking in English and informally, the Shah said: “The world must recognise… what we have done during this war. We have been one of your first and faithful allies. We have been allied since 1941…

I think the three great Allied leaders have recognised the true situation of this country in respect to the war and the share we have had in it. We hope to assume our rightful place among the Allied nations of the world that have taken part in this war. The Shah said Iran’s basic diplomatic desires were friendship with the three great powers and China and France.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020