Nasser’s Action Against Iran Considered Move to Gain Moscow’s Favor

The more hysterical President Nasser of the United Arab Republic continues to get over the statement made by the Shah of Iran reiterating his country’s de facto recognition of Israel, the more obvious it becomes here that his attacks on Iran are aimed at gaining more favor in the eyes of the Soviet Government which is unfriendly to the Shah.

Nasser needs now Moscow’s favor more than ever, because the Soviet Government has recently shown inclination not to supply him with spare parts for Soviet-built military planes which he had acquired from the Soviet Union. Soviet pressure on Nasser is growing ever since it was announced that Israel had bought more Jet bombers of the latest type from France which does not sell any arms to Egypt. Aware of the fact that Nasser is now dependent on Moscow more than ever before, the Soviet Government is seeking to maneuver him to a point where he could be useful in Moscow’s hostile attitude toward the present regimes in Iran and Turkey.

Meanwhile it was reported here today that Iran has closed its consulate in Damascus, capital of the Syrian sector of the United Arab Republic, to complete its break in diplomatic relations with the U.A.R. It was also reported that the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Teheran, left for home to report to his government on the dispute between Iran and the U.A.R.