Rapid Rise: From Commerce to the State Elite
Back in Tehran, Ansari was swiftly absorbed into the expanding technocratic apparatus of the Pahlavi state. At the Shah’s request and with Aram’s support, he was appointed to a series of influential bodies: the Civil Aviation Council, the Public Reserves Supervision Commission, the Investment Council, and the Tehran Chamber of Commerce and Industries. These posts placed him at the intersection of government, private enterprise, and foreign capital.
Simultaneously, Ansari worked full-time at Fakhr Iran, a private factory owned by the Namazi group. There, he demonstrated practical managerial skill—reorganizing production, expanding distribution, and modernizing operations. His success turned the struggling factory into a profitable enterprise, which he later sold to the government. This transaction not only enriched him but also strengthened his reputation as a man capable of bridging private industry and state planning.
