LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
STATE
POL: JDSTEMPEL
POL: DMCGAFFEY
NONE
CHG POL (3) OR, ECON, ICA RF
AMEMBASSY TEHRAN
SECSTATE WASHDC, PRIORITY
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: PEPR, US, IR
SUBJ: Interview in Iran Times - Dr. Ibrahim Yazdi
1. Ayandagan of May 9 reported an interview published in the Iran Times (A U.S. paper) with the son of Foreign Minister Ibrahim Yazdi. The interview discusses Dr. Yazdi's U.S. citizenship status, purportedly quoting a former Embassy Tehran official.
2. Embassy translation of pertinent portion follows: Quote in present conditions if the U.S. government takes any steps against Yazdi, it is probably that he may lose his U.S. citizenship. He added that it will be silly for the U.S. government to cancel Yazdi's citizenship. He added: If Ayatollah Khomeini imprisons Yazdi, he will enjoy the support of the U.S. consulate in Iran. If he makes any complaints from the people in charge of the prison, the U.S. Embassy in Iran will forward a protest to Iranian government and return him to the USA. The official added: These possibilities are silly in fact. Unquote.
3. As Dr. Yazdi has repeatedly denied U.S. citizenship here, this story will be embarrassing, and we expect questions about it. Please provide the complete text of the interview, and any other information available, ASAP. NAAS##
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