Tahereh Shokouhi

An agent of the Anglo-Iranian oil Company in Tehran, and educated at oxford, Seddan entered the Oil Company service in 1933. His first position was in the oil distribution office in Iraq. In 1939, after six years service in Iraq, he was transferred to the oil distribution office in Abadan. In 1943, when the help plan to the Soviets was carried out, he came to Tehran and was engaged in the sale center.

He was also a member of the delegates headed by Jackson which negotiated with Dr. Mossaddeq. Simultaneous with the removal of the company's administration in the South, the office in Tehran was dislodged. He took the records and documents to his home. Five days later the police found out that he had taken the documents.

In June 30^th 1951, the police inspected his house and found many confidential records. Many of them were burnt and many others were hastily taken to the British Embassy in Tehran.

However the remaining documents were large enough to prove the interference of the oil company in political affairs of Iran. The records were regarded by the Iranians as gold mine and by the company as a mine field. The publication of documents roused a strong reaction in the Iranian press and the parliament. They proved the extent of the British movements in Iran. Seddan's first move was his unsuccessful meeting with the minister of finance and then with Dr. Mossaddeq. When a commission was formed to see his case, it became known that he and his chief, Dreak had made their escape.

One month later, it became known that a telegram had been transmitted from London to Tehran insisting on 44 plan, following which in July 11^th 1951 he had gone without permission to Abadan with a special British airplane to meet some British authorities of the company. Hossein Makki had received information of his movements, and Seddan had returned to Tehran and the plan had been neutralized. Due to this affair his residence permit had been cancelled and led to the British ambassador's strong objection. Eventually through the intermediation of Avrel Hariman the U.S. President's agent in Iran, he had received his residence permit three days later.