SECURITY SITUATION IN IRAN

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02627415
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: May 30, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-00456
• Publication Date: June 13, 1963

Approved for Release: 2019/05/22 CO2627415
�SECRET_
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OCI No. 2023/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office oT Current Intelligence
13 June 1963
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Security Situation in Iran
1. The early June rioting in Tehran and other
cities was sparked by religious reactionary leaders
who strongly oppose the Shah's reform program--es-
pecially land reform and the emancipation of women.
Financial backing probably was obtained from former
large landowners and possibly from Egyptian sources.
2. Iranian security forces anticipated trouble
during the Moharram period of religious mourning (25
May - 24 June). The riots were set off by the ar-
rest of Ayatollah Khomeini, one of Iran's leading
religious leaders and chief agitator against the re-
forms. The demonstrations were well organized with
the apparent intention of causing a complete break-
down of public order. The agitators mobilized a
large number of slum elementsfrom South Tehran and
bazaar idlers, and anticipated support from student
mobs.
3. The city police, with a maximum specialized
riot capability of 500, were quickly overwhelmed by
the thousands of rioters. Troops were soon committed
and at the zenith of the rioting numbered about 130000.
They performed well and showed no hesitancy in fir-
ing on the mobs when necessary.
4. Martial law is being rigidly enforced in
Tehran and the key agitators have been arrested. The
government should have ample military forces in and
near the major cities to maintain general order. The
security forces have also been alerted to the pos-
sibility of trouble in the provinces. The danger of
an assassination attempt against the Shah and others
has increased, however.
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5. A solution to the problem of tribal insur-
gency has been brought closer by the assassination
of the key leader of the tribal rebels. The forces
of the remaining rebel leaders are believed few and
scattering, and most tribal chiefs now have sub-
mitted to military authorities.
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