ENTRY TO TEHERAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 221, 19 September 1941, Page 5

ENTRY TO TEHERAN

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA SOME TROOPS LANDED BY PARACHUTE NEW SHAH TAKES THE OATH (Recd. 11 p.m.) London, Sept. 18. British troops have entered Teheran, capital of Iran (Persia). Russian troops entered almost at the same time, many of them landing by parachute. The Associated Press’ Teheran correspondent says that British and Russian staff officers are conferring to settle a series of misunderstandings resulting from the Russians, including parachutists, entering and seizing important strategic points on the outskirts of the capital, including army barracks, airfields and railway yards. As the Russians were entering the city the new Shah was taking an oath before Parliament to uphold the Constitution. His first official act was to dismiss the police chief.—U.P.A. When last, heard of the abdicating Shah of Persia was proceeding down a road up which British troops were advancing. It is, however, not known in authoritative quartcis in London whether he is actually in British hands.

The Iranian Prime Minister told Parliament that the new Shah intended to rule as a completely constitutional monarch. The Government had asked the Allies not to approach Teheran, but even if they entered the capital they have no hostile intentions. British and Russian staff officers had entered Teheran, while Allied mechanised units surrounded the capital. The Iranian Government, at the request of the British, sent a Note to the Japanese Legation demanding the surrender of the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, who fled to Teheran after the occupation of Iraq. It is believed tnat the- request was refused by the Japanese Legation.—B.O.W.