Fazlollah Zahedi, one of the generals who overthrew Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, occupied the post of prime minister from 1953 to 1955. Prior to that, Fazlollah Zahedi had a significant military and political career, participating in military campaigns such as the suppression of the Jangal movement and the arrest of Sheikh Kha'zal Khan. During World War II, he was interned by the British in Palestine from 1941 to 1945, under the allegation of collaborating with German forces. After his internment, Fazlollah Zahedi held posts of Chief of National Police and Minister of Interior. Meanwhile, Ardeshir obtained his Bachelor of Science from Utah State University in 1950, and worked for the Point Four Program upon his return to Iran. Both Ardeshir and Fazlollah Zahedi found themselves at odds with the Mossadegh government, and during the turbulent events of August 1953, Ardeshir Zahedi stayed close to his father's side.

These events, known as the 28 Mordad coup, resulted in the overthrow of Mossadegh and the appointment of Fazlollah Zahedi as Prime Minister. However, Fazlollah Zahedi's term was short-lived, as he was forced to resign in 1955. He was then appointed Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, and lived in Switzerland until his death in 1963. Ardeshir Zahedi maintained close relations with the Shah, and married his eldest daughter, Shahnaz Pahlavi, in 1957. They had one child, Mahnaz Zahedi, and divorced in 1964. Ardeshir Zahedi held his first diplomatic post in the United States from 1959 to 1961, and was then appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1962 to 1966. From 1966 to 1971 he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ardeshir Zahedi was appointed Ambassador to the United States a second time in 1973, and occupied this position until the Iranian Revolution forced the Shah from power in 1979. Ardeshir Zahedi tried to find political asylum for the Shah and his family, and was present for his death and funeral in Cairo. In the wake of Iran's transformation from a monarchy to an Islamic republic, Ardeshir Zahedi has resided in Montreux, Switzerland, occasionally providing interviews and commentary on Iranian politics. He has spent the last several years working on his memoirs, a multi-volume project.

The Ardashīr Zahedi papers contain correspondence, speeches and writings, interview transcripts, financial records, photographs, video and sound recordings, printed matter, and computer disks relating to Ardeshir Zahedi's diplomatic career during the Pahlavi era.

Zahedi served as Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The collection also contains the papers of Ardeshir's father, Fazlollah Zahedi, a general who occupied the post of prime minister. Topics of note include: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iranian foreign relations, Iranian-American relations, the Cold War, the events of August 1953, the 1977 Hanafi Siege, and Iranian dissent.

The Faz̤l Allāh Zahedi Papers document Fazlollah's military and political career, his internment in Palestine during World War II, his tenure as prime minister, and his appointment as diplomat to the United Nations in Geneva. They also contain materials related to Ardeshir's youth and marriage.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs File includes correspondence, transcripts, notes, and reports related to meetings with foreign officials, dignitaries, and heads of state.

Ardeshir's second appointment as Ambassador to the United States spanned the presidencies of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter, and ended with the Shah's abdication.

The Ambassador to the United States File documents this period and includes embassy documents and Ardeshir's correspondence. Ardeshir corresponded with a wide range of people, including U.S. and Iranian government officials, and members of the press.

Since resigning from his diplomatic post, Ardeshir has resided in Montreux, Switzerland. The Career after Diplomacy File demonstrates his engagement in editing and providing resources for works about the Pahlavi era, drafts and documents compiled for his memoirs, and editorial and interview materials.

The Photographs series includes photographs and albums from Fazlollah's youth through Ardeshir's second appointment in the United States.Although different stages of Ardeshir's life and career are depicted, including his wedding and his first appointment in the United States, his second appointment in the United States is the most documented aspect of his life. Other areas of interest include photographs from the 1953 up rising and of the Pahlavis.