IRAN: Next Target?

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At what soft spot would the probing finger of Communist aggression aim its next jab? Western observers have long feared that one of the likeliest targets would be Russia's neighbor, Iran, a backward land perched precariously on the U.S.S.R.'s Middle-Eastern doorstep. Iran has been wallowing in an economic and political swamp for decades. A well-nigh endless series of footling governments has done little to help her out of it.

Last week Iran got another new Premier and cabinet. Premier Ali Razmara has a reputation for honesty and selfless service rare among Iranian politicos. As chief of staff for the last five years, he got along on three hours' sleep a night, worked from 5 a.m. till late at night, snapping his wiry body about with energy enough to whip new nerve and discipline into Iran's army.

As Premier and Defense Minister, Razmara will continue to supervise the fighting trim of Iran's troops. To help him solve some of Iran's other pressing problems, the U.S. last week sent to Teheran a new ambassador, Henry F. Grady, who learned a lot about rehabilitating distressed nations during his years (1948-50) as ambassador to Greece during the civil war in that country.