Relations Resumed

Last week, 14 months after impetuous Mohammed Mossadegh broke diplomatic relations with the British, his successor, General Fazlollah Zahedi. resumed them. Added London: the two nations "will proceed at the earliest mutually agreed moment to negotiate a settlement of the oil dispute."

The new Zahedi government, which had already waited 3 1/2 months to deal with Britain, hoping that Iran's red-hot nationalism would cool off, could wait no longer. Current U.S. aid will last only until March; after that, warned Washington, there will be no more unless Iran starts helping itself. To survive, Iran needs--quickly--to restore to operation its rich oil wells and giant Abadan refinery, which have been idle since July 1951.

In the streets, discredited old Mullah Kashani, a dormant demagogue seeking to regain his popularity, proclaimed a "day of mourning" and ordered his fanatics to don black arm bands in protest at the recognition of Britain. Only about 50 followers showed up next day in Teheran's bazaar, chanting "Down with Britain." At Teheran University, students rioted, and two were killed by troops.

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