Mehdi Azar (1901–1994) was an Iranian physician, professor of medicine and politician who served as the minister of culture in the period 1952–1953. In addition to his political activities he was one of the leading Iranian physicians in
kidney disease.
Early life and education
Azar was born in 1901.
His father was Haj Mirza Ali Tabrizi who was a cleric and a deputy in the Majlis.
Azar graduated from Tehran Medical School in 1928 and also, from the University of Lyon.
[
]
Career
Azar was a faculty member at the University of Tehran
The University of Tehran (Tehran University or UT, fa, دانشگاه تهران) is the most prominent university located in Tehran, Iran. Based on its historical, socio-cultural, and political pedigree, as well as its research and teaching pro ...
.[ He joined the National Front established by ]Mohammad Mosaddegh
Mohammad Mosaddegh ( fa, محمد مصدق, ; 16 June 1882 – 5 March 1967) was an Iranian politician, author, and lawyer who served as the 35th Prime Minister of Iran from 1951 to 1953, after appointment by the 16th Majlis. He was a member of ...
.[ Azar was its secretary of foreign relations. In 1949 Azar was imprisoned due to his political activities.][ He was appointed minister of culture in the second cabinet of Mosaddegh in July 1952. Azar was one of the cabinet members who were claimed by the Western publications, including '']Newsweek
''Newsweek'' is an American weekly online news magazine co-owned 50 percent each by Dev Pragad, its president and CEO, and Johnathan Davis, who has no operational role at ''Newsweek''. Founded as a weekly print magazine in 1933, it was widely ...
'', to be communist threats for Iran. The others were Hossein Fatemi
Hossein Fatemi ( fa, حسین فاطمی; also Romanized as Hoseyn Fātemi; 10 February 1917 – 10 November 1954) was an Iranian scholar. A close associate of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, he proposed nationalization of Iranian oil and gas ...
and Abdol Ali Lofti.[ Azar was in office until August 1953 when the cabinet was overthrown through a coup.][ Azar and Abdol Ali Lotfi were arrested by the military governorate on 2 September 1953.]
Following his retirement from politics Azad continued his profession as a physician specialized in kidney disease among adults. He was the founder of the first dialysis ward in Iran which was established at Pahlavi Hospital.[
]
Personal life and death
Azar went into exile in the United States in 1982 and settled in Norfolk, Virginia.[ He died there in 1994 and was buried in Iran.][
]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azar, Mehdi
20th-century Iranian politicians
20th-century Iranian physicians
1901 births
1994 deaths
Government ministers of Iran
Iranian expatriates in the United States
Iranian prisoners and detainees
National Front (Iran) politicians
Tehran University of Medical Sciences faculty
Iranian nephrologists
University of Lyon alumni