Nasrollah Entezam (Persian: نصرالله انتظام; also spelled Naṣr-Allāh Enteẓām; 16 February 1900 – 19 December 1980) was a diplomat, politician, and minister, as well as Iranian Ambassador to the United States and France.[1][2] He was the first Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1947 to 1950 and President of the UN General Assembly during its fifth session in 1950.[3][4]
During the third session of the General Assembly in 1948, he was chairman of the United Nations Trusteeship Council and the Special Committee on Methods and Procedures.[3] In 1948, he was chairman of the ad hoc Political Committee and in 1950, he was a member of the Cease Fire Committee for Korea and was elected President of the Assembly.[3][2][1][4] The Korean War occurred during his presidency and Entezam, wanting both economic aid from the USA and improved relations with Russia, strove to "tread a delicate path while maintaining a judicious appearance of fairness to all."[1][4] The Assembly also passed the Uniting for Peace resolution during this time, and Entezam helped establish a committee to consider granting UN membership to China and passed a resolution "guaranteeing Korea's postwar freedom, unity, and independence."[2][1] In 1952, he was expected to become the UN's next Secretary-General but Dag Hammarskjöld was instead elected.[2]
Following his departure from Paris, he was a minister without portfolio under Prime Minister Asadollah Alam.[1][15] Following the Indo-Pakistani War in 1965, Entezam served as a member and judge on the dispute over the boundaries of the warring nations, namely the Rann of Kutch.[1][2] He was later elected chairman of the Inaugural Congress of the Rastakhiz Party.[7] According to a 1963 report by the United States Embassy, Entezam and his brother Abdollah were informally active in Prime Minister Amini's Cabinet and met every Wednesday for twelve years.[7] Where his brother was considered to be prestigious and deserving of respect, Nasrollah was seen as a "flamboyant and sartorially elegant bachelor... [he was] also considered to be a capable official."[7]
Final years and death
Entezam retired in the late 1960s/early 1970s[2] but continued to serve the Shah in some capacity.[citation needed] His final duties were as chairman of the United States Bicentennial celebration and co-chair of the Rastakhiz Party.[citation needed] Several years later, following the Islamic Revolution, he returned to Iran from asthma treatment in Switzerland despite his family's pleas to stay abroad.[4][5] He was immediately seized at the Mehrabad International Airport upon landing and arrested "on 'political charges'."[2][5][4] He was held in Evin Prison, where he was tortured and later suffered a stroke, for which he was sent to the hospital.[5][2] Entezam died shortly after on 19 December 1980, though sources cannot seem to agree where he passed beyond it being in Tehran: at his house, at his sister's house, in prison, or at the hospital.[1][5][4][10] He is buried in Behesht-e Zahra.[4]
