His appointment came at a time of growing unrest. Strikes, inflation, and political opposition were intensifying. Managing NIOC meant navigating labor discontent, international pressure, and internal elite rivalries. Although his tenure was brief, it placed him at the core of a system under strain.
As protests expanded in 1978, Ansari—like many senior officials—found himself trapped between loyalty to the monarchy and awareness of its fragility.
Revolution and Exile: Reinventing a Life
The 1979 Iranian Revolution dismantled the world Ansari had helped build. The monarchy fell, state institutions were purged, and former officials faced imprisonment or worse. Ansari left Iran and settled in the United States.
Unlike some exiles who withdrew from public life, Ansari attempted to reinvent himself. Drawing on contacts cultivated during his ambassadorship and ministerial years, he entered international finance, investment, and philanthropy. He became involved in oil services, banking, and advisory roles, repositioning himself as an Iranian-American businessman rather than a displaced minister.
His philanthropy supported cultural and educational causes, reflecting a desire to remain connected to Iran’s intellectual life even in exile. Yet he remained a controversial figure among Iranians—praised by some as a capable modernizer, condemned by others as a symbol of elite detachment.
