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June 12, 2020 “The Last Diplomat” directed by Amir Tajik uncovers untold stories of ’s history, witnessed by Zahedi. diplomat by Amir Tajik Ardeshir Zahedi by diplomat A poster for the documentary “The Last Diplomat” about former Iranian A

“Rahavard” issues 134-135 Spring-Summer 2021 40833

A documentary on Ardeshir Zahedi, a He also added that part of the documentary former Iranian Senior diplomat who served features recent words uttered by Zahedi in during the reign of Iran’s last monarch honor of martyred Commander Qassem as the country’s Soleimani. foreign minister (1966-1971) premiered at Zahedi is a descendant of two families that the Mellat Palace Museum on Thursday June have shaped the history of modern Iran. 11th2020. His father, Fazlollah Zahedi (1897-1963), Zahedi also served as ambassador to the served as prime minister, and his maternal from 1960 to 1962 and again grandfather, Nasrollah Khan Moshir od- from 1973 to 1979 and Iran’s ambassador to Dowleh, served as the first prime minister the from 1962 to 1966. of Iran after the establishment of the In addition, Zahedi was the son-in-law of the Constitution in 1907. Shah and the documentary includes unseen Zahedi has led a very eventful life. During photos and footages of the Pahlavi family in World War II, when Ardeshir was twelve, his addition to personal albums of Zahedi. father, who was the commander of the The production team made more than 18 division, was arrested by the occupying Allied months of full-time efforts to collect exclusive forces and imprisoned in Palestine. information with the help of an experienced After completing his college education at crew. Utah State University, Ardeshir returned to A poster for the documentary was also Iran to become deputy director of the Point unveiled during the premiere attended by Four Program. the crew, interested documentarians and In 1957, he married the Shah’s first individuals. daughter Shahnaz. Mahnaz, the Shah’s Speaking at the ceremony, Tajik said that first granddaughter was born a year later. the officials at the museum have made great Although the couple separated in 1964, contributions to the documentary. Ardeshir still remained a close confidant and  “I tried very hard to collect the friend of the Shah until his death in 1980. information. Part of Zahedi’s life In the last two decades of the , was during the coup d’état against Zahedi served as an ambassador to the United Mohammad Mossadeq’ s government in States, and five years as foreign minister of 1953, which Zahedi believed was not a Iran. coup d’état. A major event of those days During his diplomatic career, he took an was the capture of Iran’s radio building, active role in the discussions. and the documentary shows previously As the head of the Iranian delegation to the unseen photos in addition to voices United Nations General Assembly, he signed which belong to those days and are the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. preserved in the secret archives of the The 91-year-old Zahedi presently resides in radio station,” he said. .

"Rahavard" issues 134-135 Spring-Summer 2021