IRAN: THE REMEMBERANCE OF THINGS PAST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R001900090066-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 2005
• Sequence Number: 66
• Publication Date: April 6, 1978
• Content Type: SUMMARY

proved For Release 2005/03114: CIA-RDP81 M0098PROO! 900090066-1
IRAN : The Rememb4rance of Things Past
In December 1945 Brigadier General Ali Akbar Derakhshani
was in an unenviable position. He was the military commander in
Tabriz, capital of Azerbaijan Province but the city was almost
completely surrounded by Azerbaijani rebels backed by the Soviet
army of occupation. A relief column from Tehran had been blocked
by the Soviet troops 250'miles away.
T. Cuyler You, press attache of the American Embassy
in .Tehran, visited Tabriz - the second week i r Y 9 4
5
Derakhshani, as well as Governor General Morteza Gholi Bayat told
Young that they could not and would not defend the city but would
confine themselves to protecting the Governor General's residence
and the barracks.
By the next week the barracks had surrendered. Derakhshani
reportedly had gone over to the rebels and advised his men to
make the best terms they could. Many did so and kept their ranks
and pay in the rebel army. Rumor had it that he would become
Minister of War in the rebel government. However, on December 20, 19e
he returned to Tehran where he was immediately put under arrest.'
A ..few months. later he was court-martialed and sentenced to life
imprisonment. He was later pardoned by the Shah.
For more than thirty years Derakhshani was a forgotten man.
Then on March 27, 1978 retired Brigadier General Derakhshani was
arrested by Iranian security officers as he received a package
from a Russian employee of the Irano-Soviet Transport Company. Two
other Soviet officials reportedly were present.
Approved For Release 2005/03/14: CIA-RDP81 M00980R001900090066-1
6 April. 1978
 - Approved For Release 2005/03/14: CIA-RDP81 M00980R001900090066-1
It seems likely that Derakhshani has been a long-time Soviet
agent: :'_-At age 82 and long out of the' military he would seem to
be of little direct value to the Soviets. He may, however, have
been acting in a support capacity or as a liaison with other
agents. In December 1977 another Soviet espionage operation was
uncovered involving an active duty general and others. Its roots
also went back to the mid-1940s.
The full scope of Derakhshani's activities in. the last three
decades may never be known. He died of a heart attack shortly
.after being taken into custody. (UNCLASSIFIED)
,Approved For Release 2005/03/14: CIA-RDP81 M00980R0019000?90066-1.