Mohsen Rais


Mohsen Rais was an Iranian diplomat and served as foreign minister and as ambassador during the Pahlavi era.

Early life and education

Rais was born in 1896 in Tehran. His father was Zahir ol-Mulk. He was a graduate of the University of Geneva.

Career

Rais joined the Iranian foreign ministry in 1919. He served as a counsellor in Paris from 1930 to 1933. He was named director of the League of Nations and treaty department in the ministry in 1933 and was in office until 1935. He was the ambassador of Iran to Germany from 1935 to 1938. In 1938, he served as acting foreign minister. He was appointed director general of the political affairs at the foreign ministry in 1938 and his tenure ended in 1939.
Then he held the posts of ambassador to Romania and Yugoslavia, ambassador to France, minister of posts and telecommunications and ambassador to Iraq. He was appointed Iran's ambassador to the United Kingdom on 6 August 1947, replacing Hassan Taqizadeh in the post. He held the post until 1950 and was succeeded by Ali Soheili in the post. Then Rais was appointed foreign minister in 1950 and his term lasted until 1951. From 1958 to 1960, he was the governor-general of Azerbaijan. He was again transferred to diplomatic post and served as ambassador to France, to the Netherlands and the Court of St. James’s. His last public office was the governor of Tehran and during the same period he was also a senator.

Personal life

Rais married twice. His second spouse was Esmat Dowlatshahi, who formerly married to Reza Shah.

Honors and awards

Rais was the recipient of various awards, including the Order of Homayun and