Reza Azimi
Military officer and commander of the Imperial Iranian Army Ground Forces
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Reza Azimi (Persian: رضا عظیمی) was a senior military officer during the reign of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was a general and held various military and government posts, including commander of the Imperial Iranian Ground Forces and minister of war.
Reza Azimi | |
|---|---|
رضا عظیمی | |
| Minister of War | |
| In office 2 January 1971 – 6 January 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Asadollah Sanii |
| Succeeded by | Jafar Shafaghat |
| Commander of the Ground Forces | |
| In office 1961–1965 | |
| Preceded by | Abdol Hossein Hejazi |
| Succeeded by | Ezzatollah Zarghami |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1909 |
| Died | 1999 (aged 89–90) |
| Cabinet | Military government of Gholam-Reza Azhari |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Imperial State of Iran |
| Branch/service | Ground Force |
| Years of service | 1928–1979 |
| Rank |  General |
Biography
Azimi served as the commander of the Imperial Iranian Ground Forces between 1960 and 1966.[1][2] He left the office due to illness.[2] Then he was made general adjutant to the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi which he held until 1970.[1]
Later Azimi served as the minister of war between 1971 and 1977 in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveyda.[1][3] He was appointed to the post on 13 September 1971.[4] Azimi was among the nine members of the cabinet who were not Hoveyda's appointees or proteges.[3] His deputy at the ministry was also a retired army officer, Hassan Toufanian.[5] During his tenure Azimi dealt with legislative and budgetary issues, whereas his deputy, Toufanian, was responsible for the procurement of arms in accordance with the Shah's orders.[5]
Azimi retained his post in the succeeding cabinet led by Prime Minister Jamshid Amouzegar between August 1977 and August 1978.[6] Azimi continued to serve in the same post in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Jafar Sharif-Emami.[7][8] He was also appointed Minister of War in the military government which was formed by Gholam Reza Azhari in November 1978 and lasted until the end of December.[9]
As of 1990 Azimi was residing in Paris, France.[1]