A Chronicle of the Eventful Life of Seyed Abdollah Entezam

From CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company to Service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Office of Archives and Museums of the Oil Industry, Mr. Mansour Rashidi, a retired employee of the National Iranian Oil Company, researcher of history, and custodian of the Mirza Isa Khan Vazir Museum and Mosque — a descendant of the Entezam family — visited the Center.

During the meeting, Mr. Rashidi discussed the life, achievements, and historical significance of the late Seyed Abdollah Entezam, a distinguished statesman and former CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company. He also donated a collection of valuable documents related to this prominent figure to the Oil Industry Museums.

Mr. Rashidi noted that Seyed Abdollah Entezam was born on March 26, 1895 (6 Farvardin 1274) into a well-known political family of the Qajar era. He was the son of Seyed Mohammad Entezam-ol-Saltaneh and a descendant of Imam Sajjad (A.S.). The Entezam family has long been recognized among Iran’s dedicated statesmen and public servants.

He added that Entezam served for many years in key political and diplomatic positions in Germany, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. His distinguished career included roles such as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tehran, and CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company.

Mr. Rashidi also highlighted Entezam’s humanitarian character and benevolent nature, describing him as a kind, humble, and compassionate man who followed the example of Imam Ali (A.S.) in helping the poor. Entezam provided pensions to underprivileged families and donated 148 residential units in Tehran’s Khani Abad-e Takhti neighborhood to the needy. After stepping down from his position at NIOC in 1963, he founded a blacksmith workshop to teach technical skills to disadvantaged youth.

Regarding his enduring contributions to the oil industry, Rashidi stated that one of Entezam’s most notable projects was the construction of the Oil Industry Recreational and Sports Complex in Mahmoudabad in 1960, built on an area of over 1.165 million square meters, which significantly improved the welfare of oil industry employees. Until the end of his life, Entezam also served as an honorary attendant of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.).

Mr. Rashidi further elaborated on the Entezam family’s long-standing tradition of public service: Entezam’s father, Seyed Mohammad Entezam-ol-Saltaneh, was Iran’s first Minister of Police, and his grandfather, Seyed Abdollah Khan Entezam-ol-Saltaneh, was among the founders of Iran’s law enforcement organization. Other notable ancestors include Mirza Mousa Vazir and Mirza Isa Khan Vazir, both distinguished ministers of the Qajar era. The family lineage is said to trace back to Imam Sajjad (A.S.) in its 29th generation.

According to Mr. Rashidi, Seyed Abdollah Entezam passed away on March 22, 1983 (2 Farvardin 1362) and was laid to rest at Ibn Babawayh Cemetery in Rey. Part of his documents and works are preserved today in the National Library and Archives of Iran.

At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Rashidi donated a selection of family archives and historical materials to the Oil Industry Museums, honoring the memory of this distinguished manager, eminent diplomat, and benevolent figure in Iran’s contemporary history.