He was appointed secretary general of CENTO in January 1962, replacing Mirza Osman Ali Baig in the post. Khalatbari was in office until January 1968 when Turgut Menemencioglu succeeded him in the post. From 1968 to 1970 he served as the deputy minister of foreign affairs. Khalatbari was appointed foreign minister in 1971, replacing Ardeshir Zahedi in the post.