dr. fereydoun ala's father, hossein ala (1883–1964), was a career diplomat, cabinet minister, minister plenipotentiary in both britain and france (ambassadorial status was not established until the 1940s), and twice iranian envoy to the us (minister in 1921, and ambassador in 1945). he played a crucial role in defending iran's rights as his country's representative at the un security council meetings, during the 'azarbaijan crisis' of 1946. having foiled soviet-fostered separatist aspirations, he ensured through un auspices iran's independence and territorial integrity. in aggregate, he spent twelve years as minister of the imperial court to mohammad reza shah pahlavi, and was twice appointed prime minister.