Later, he was appointed deputy foreign minister, a role that allowed him to engage in high-level negotiations and policymaking. His diplomatic acumen was further recognized when he was selected to represent Iran as its minister-elect in the Ottoman Empire, a position that underscored his importance in regional diplomacy during a time when the Ottoman Empire was still a major power in the Middle East.
In 1910, Mirza Ali Qoli Khan achieved a groundbreaking milestone in Persian history when he was appointed as the first Iranian minister-elect to the United States. At a time when Iran was seeking to establish itself on the global stage, his role in Washington, D.C., was pivotal in strengthening Iranian-American relations.
Contributions to Iranian-American Relations
Mirza Ali Qoli Khan’s tenure in the United States coincided with a critical period in Iranian history. The country was grappling with internal political upheavals, economic instability, and foreign interventions. As minister-elect, he worked tirelessly to promote Iran’s interests in the United States and foster goodwill between the two nations.