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Iran: Backlash after UK and Russian envoys recall World War Two Tehran summit

Tehran summons ambassadors after tweet celebrating 1943 conference sparks memories of Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
Russian ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan (left) and British counterpart Simon Shercliff sit where world leaders were pictured during the 1943 Tehran conference (Twitter/Russian Embassy Iran)

Iran has summoned the Russian and British ambassadors after a tweet posted by Moscow’s mission in Tehran appeared to celebrate a World War Two conference in the Iranian capital that took place after Iran was invaded by foreign powers. 

The tweet caused outrage on Iranian social media, and was denounced by a host of Iranian officials.

On Wednesday, Moscow’s embassy in Iran tweeted: “Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan's meeting with the new head of the British diplomatic mission in Iran Simon Shercliff on the historical stair, where the 1943 Tehran conference was held”. 

The tweet and accompanying image mimicked a famous photograph of former world leaders Joseph Stalin, Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, who met in Tehran to discuss war strategy. 

churchill stalin roosevelt
From left: Joseph Stalin, Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill at the Tehran conference, the first summit of World War Two's 'Big Three' leaders (AFP)

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It was at this conference that the “Big Three” leaders agreed to opening a second front against Nazi Germany aimed at diverting Hitler's troops away from the Soviet front, and discussed important decisions concerning the postwar era. But for many Iranians, the summit is not a cause for celebration.

“Frightfully tone deaf,” said writer Hooman Majd. “The ‘43 conference is not what Iranians want to be reminded of.” 

The global summit took place in Tehran two years after the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, as Allied forces occupied the neutral country in an attempt to secure supply lines and fend off Nazi advances. 

“Usually the Brits are more subtle when it comes to Iran, but it seems the nostalgia for the days of occupation and open interference in the country runs strong,” wrote one user. 

Many Iranians were particularly surprised and disappointed with Moscow’s involvement in the photograph, given its friendly relations with Tehran.

“The Tehran conference was a violation of Iranian sovereignty & symbolic of the historic crimes committed by the US, Russia & UK against Iranians,” tweeted Seyed Mohammad Marandi, professor of English literature and orientalism at Tehran University.

“I have no expectations of UK diplomats, but why the Russian ambassador?” he asked. 

Several users also noted the empty chair in between the two diplomats, suggesting that the British ambassador may have unwittingly helped Moscow "troll" Washington. 

"With an empty chair, UK ambassador in Tehran helps Russia troll the US on the terrace where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin held the wartime Tehran conference," said author David Cloud.

However, not all Iranians were angered by reminders of the summit. 

“The 1943 Tehran conference should be a source of pride for us Iranians,” wrote historian Roham Alvandi. “With a very weak hand, Iranian diplomacy succeeded in wrestling an Allied commitment to Iran's independence and territorial integrity. This was crucial to Iran's survival during and after WWII.

“If there is anything we should be ashamed of, it is the fact that the likes of Qalibaf and Raisi now lead this proud and ancient nation in the place of [former Prime Ministers] Foroughi, Soheili and Qavam.”

Iranian officials respond

The photo prompted a stern response from outgoing Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. 

“I saw an extremely inappropriate picture today. Need I remind all that Aug. 2021 is neither Aug. 1941 nor Dec. 1943,” Zarif said, referencing both the invasion and the conference. “The Iranian people have shown - including during the JCPOA talks - that their destiny can NEVER be subject to decisions in foreign embassies or by foreign powers.” 

Incoming Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also weighed in with condemnation. 

“The un-diplomatic action of the two foreign ambassadors in Tehran has stifled public opinion in the Islamic Republic of Iran and shows the disregard for the diplomatic etiquette and national pride of the zealous people of Iran,” he said. 

Amir-Abdollahian was named as the new foreign minister by incoming President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday, and is viewed as an anti-West hardliner with close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). 

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, conservative Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called the photo “inappropriate”, and said that both ambassadors must apologise, otherwise “a decisive diplomatic response will be necessary”. 

On Thursday, Iran summoned both ambassadors to the foreign ministry. 

"During the meeting, the Russian ambassador stated that his intention to publish this photo was merely a reminder of Russia's alliance with Britain against the Nazi army during World War Two," Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"There was no anti-Iranian motive behind the photo," the statement added, according to state TV.

The Russian embassy sought to address the backlash on Twitter, stating that it was not intended to be anti-Iranian. 

“The only meaning that this photo has [is] to pay tribute to the joint efforts of the Allied states against Nazism during the Second World War,” it added. “Iran is our friend and neighbor, and we will continue to strengthen relations based on mutual respect.”

The statement was retweeted by British ambassador Shercliff. 

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