In late 1947 Major Teymur Bakhtiar set his inconspicuous boots on the ground in Iranian Azerbaijan and Mahabad to set up shop in and around future polling stations, his efforts bolstered by the 40,000 strong Iranian Army contingent present to keep the peace during the following year.

His first task was to open investigations into Majlis delegates occupying seats for the north-west of the country or having significant ties to the area - like prominent statesman Ahmad Qavam, the biggest landowner in Azerbaijan.

At the same time, Major Bakhtiar worked with the Military Administration of Major-General Zarradi to cooperate with the local political parties of Pishevari and Muhammad as well as the forces of Barzani, bringing all of them to the table to discuss safely carrying out of the referendum. Pishevari and Muhammad were assured of their ability to campaign freely in Iranian Azerbaijan and Mahabad ahead of the referendum which was scheduled for the beginning of 1948.

Following the meeting with opposition leaders, Bakhtiar set out to facilitate the opposition's work under the guise of helping pro-Iran and anti-Iran actors equally. Mainly by Zarradi offering Iranian Army security detail for political headquarters in urban centers and for political missions into other areas, accompanied by Bakhtiar's undercover Internal Intelligence agents. Likewise, the Army will work to spread the word and truely ensure that voting is anonymous all around.

On the side, Bakhtiar collected data on all political actors that were willing to come forward. Their working rooms, bases, homes, families, associates, thinkers, financial backers, etc.

At the start of the referendum week, Iranian forces will be set on high alert for a month.