TEHERAN: The Iranian Cabinet held an extraordinary session today [June 13] to consider their next steps in the take-over of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company installations in Southern Iran. Usually reliable sources here said that the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company’s Manager at Abadan, Mr Eric Dral(e, had refused to hand over Company documents, books and accounts to the Iranian representatives charged with the take-over of the Company. Mr Dral(e told the Iranian Commission: ‘The Iranian Government’s action is invalid as far as we are concerned until we receive instructions from London[.]’ ... The . Iranian Board refused a dinner invitation from AIOC officials.
The Board offered oil for sale a month from now to cash customers ‘at international prices’ in a note published in Abadan. The source said the Iranian take-over delegates now at Abadan ... had told the Government that Mr Drake had said he would have to await the result of the Teheran talks before complying with any demands of the [board].
The Iranians had earlier asked Mr Dral(e to hand over 75 per cent of the proceeds of all oil produced since March 20... . The remaining .
was to be set aside for possible compensation.