Hedayatollah Gilanshah

Hedayatollah Gilanshah (1907–1986) was the commander of the Imperial Iranian Air Force for three terms. He was among the individuals who contributed to the development of the Iranian air force. He hailed from an aristocratic family. In 1952 he was appointed as the commander of the Iranian Air Force. He blamed Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh for his early retirement and joined the anti-Mosaddeq officers. He was part of the pro-British army officers who were planning a coup against the government of Mosaddegh. Gilanshah was promoted to the rank of Major General after the coup which had removed Mosaddegh from office and was named as the chief of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's military office. From 1954 to 1958 he was the commander of the Iranian Air Force. Hedayatollah Gilanshah was regarded as one of the most powerful military figures of the second Pahlavi era.

Later years and death After leaving office he retired and died in 1986.