LONDON: President Truman today [June 1] made a double barrelled attempt to settle the Iranian oil crisis by sending personal messages to the Iranian and British Prime Ministers calling for … negotiations. His message to Dr Mohammad Mossadeq, delivered in Teheran today by US Ambassador Henry Grady, declared that an “explosive” situation existed in Iran and urged the Government to begin discussions with a British delegation.

... A Malta message reported that the British tank-landing ship, the Messina, from the Mediterranean Fleet was on her way to the Persian Gulf. It was announced in the Iranian capital tonight that General Shahbakhti has been recalled from his post as Governor-General of the Southern Oil Province of Khuzistan and Commander of the Forces in the south. Dr Mossadeq said this and other changes resulted from the impending nationalisation of the oil industry.

[Meanwhile, news agencies from the United Nations HQs add,] Diplomats here speculated today [May 31] that the Anglo-Iranian oil dispute might be brought before the Security Council in June... .

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026