On death of ex-Shah envoy who became uncanny admirer of revolutionary Iran
Ardeshir Zahedi, a former Iranian foreign minister and ambassador to the United States from the Pahlavi regime era, died Thursday at 93 in exile in Switzerland.
Zahedi served as Tehran's ambassador to Washington from 1960 to 1962 and again from 1973 until the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He was also Iran's foreign minister from 1966 to 1971. Zahedi was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's son-in-law and loyal to him until the last day of Shah’s life.
During his final years of life, Zahedi stepped into the spotlight over his controversial positions and statements, including his criticism of hostile US policies toward Iran. His complimentary remarks about Iran's legendary anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani also captured media attention.
In an interview with BBC Farsi on April, 2020, he praised General Soleimani, saying, “I am proud of him, I was proud of him and I will be proud of him... these [soldiers] give their blood for their country. He was the one who sacrificed his life for his country unlike those who sell themselves for money.”
On January 3, 2019, US President Donald Trump directly ordered drone strikes that killed General Soleimani - who was in Baghdad on an official visit - and his Iraqi trench mate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi anti-terror force.
He was a supporter of Iran’s nuclear program and called all sanctions imposed on Iran as baseless and against international law.
Commenting on Washington’s policy of regime change in Iran, Zahedi once said, “The US is exerting economic and military pressure on Tehran because Iranian diplomats have brought America and its allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, to their knees.”
In another interview, Zahedi referred to Iran’s bright future and said, “I believe Iran’s future is very bright and what was in the past has finished."
In a reference to the anti-revolutionary groups in Iran, he said, "Do not fool yourself and do not get financial help from foreigners…. It makes no difference who gives the money; Arabs, CIA or other foreigners… none of them will help Iran and Iranians reach their goals.”
“The social situation in Iran will undoubtedly evolve. I have great hope and confidence in the youth of Iran, whose character, intelligence and competence will shape the country’s future,” he said.
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