Abbas Ali Khalatbari


Abbas Ali Khalatbari was an Iranian diplomat, who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1971 to 1978.

Early years and education

Khalatbari was born in 1912. He was a member of a well-established family.
He received a bachelor's degree in political sciences in Paris in 1936. He held a PhD in law, which he again received in Paris in 1938.

Career

Khalatbari was a career diplomat. He was among the significant diplomats who shaped the foreign relations of Iran under the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He began his career in finance ministry in 1940 and then joined the foreign ministry in 1942. He briefly served as Iran's ambassador to Poland in 1961.
He was appointed secretary general of CENTO in January 1962, replacing Mirza Osman Ali Baig in the post. Khalatbari was in office until January 1968 when Turgut Menemencioglu succeeded him in the post. From 1968 to 1970 he served as the deputy minister of foreign affairs.
Khalatbari was appointed foreign minister in 1971, replacing Ardeshir Zahedi in the post. Khalatbari paid an official visit to Israel in 1977 as a guest of his Israeli counterpart Yigal Allon. Khalatbari's term as foreign minister ended on 27 August 1978 and he was replaced by Amir Khosrow Afshar in the post. Although being loyal to the Shah, Khalatbari learned his removal from the early morning radio news.

Personal life

Khalatbari was married and had four children. He was fluent in French and English.

Later years and death

Khalatbari was arrested and sentenced to death on the charges of "corruption on earth; membership of the former regime, being a minister of the former government, being a SAVAK agent, being member of a government delegation acting against the interests of the nation; being employed by the CIA; treason, acting against the interest of the people, acting against the security of the nation" following the 1979 Islamic revolution. He and ten other officials of the Shah were executed by the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran on 11 April 1979. Shortly before his execution, a written statement of Khalatbari's reports in the court was issued, claiming that the ousted shah had "personally" killed many people.

Honors

Khalatbari was the recipient of Homayoun First Class and Taj Third Class honors.