The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran

With nationalization signed and Mosaddegh in office, Britain cuts off Iran’s oil exports and moves warships into the Gulf. Secret documents expose decades of political interference, American mediation fails, and Iran finds itself in a standoff it cannot easily win. Listen to part one of Nationalization here . Episode sources Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support...

Failed negotiations, assassination, and a vote that changed Iran’s history. As pressure builds and compromise collapses, Mohammad Mosaddegh leads a united nation towards oil nationalization. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Earlier Chapters of The Oil Dispute: Book One – Episode 8: Anglo-Persian Oil Company Book Two – Episode 4: Anglo-Irani...

Iran’s oil had enriched Britain and left its workers in shanty towns. When a deadly strike erupts and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company refuses to yield, a veteran constitutionalist steps forward to fight for control of the nation’s oil. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Earlier Chapters of The Oil Dispute: Book One – Episode 8: Anglo-Pers...

As Cold War tensions rise, Iran and the United States become unlikely allies. After surviving an assassination attempt, Mohammad Reza Shah moves to consolidate power and reshape Iran’s political order. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Episode Summary In February 1949, there was an assassination attempt on Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi at the U...

As World War II ends, Iran becomes the first battleground of the Cold War. After Stalin reaches for northern oil, a calculated gamble in Tehran determines whether the country will split or survive. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Episode Summary As World War II ended, the world shifted. Britain weakened. The United States and the Soviet Un...

After Reza Shah’s abdication, the young Mohammad Reza Pahlavi takes the throne. As Iran struggles with the aftermath of the Anglo-Soviet invasion, Allied leaders gather in Tehran to plan the next phase of the war. Book Two Recap Book One Recap Follow us on Instagram , TikTok or X (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon . Episode Summary In 1941, following the Allied...

In 1944, Reza Shah died alone. Banished from his homeland and despised by his people. But even his most bitter critics couldn’t deny one thing: He was the architect of a new Iran. The creator of a modern empire. Season three of The Lion and the Sun Podcast will start airing next week. While you can enjoy this season on its own, having some background never hurts. If you have the time and want the...

Kermit Roosevelt was on a mission that night. To overthrow Iran’s prime minister and take back control of its oil. Listen to new chapters from January 28th 2026. In book three of The Lion and the Sun , we look at how Iran’s bid to nationalize its oil pulled the CIA into Iranian politics and set the stage for a covert operation that removed its democratically elected leader. A coup that becam...

Our podcast is a Finalist in the 2025 Signal Awards in the History category! Vote for the listener’s choice award here . This is a special episode of The Lion and the Sun to celebrate our nomination: As Iran crowns a new king, Reza Shah is forced into exile. Stripped of power and family, the fallen monarch begins his final chapter in isolation. Thank you so much for your support and for list...

In the season two finale, Britain and the Soviet Union invade Iran in hopes of a regime change … Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Sources for this episode . Episode Summary On August 25, 1941, Iran faced a coordinated invasion by British and Soviet forces. The military, unprepared for such an assault, collapsed swiftly. Naval, air, an...

As the Second World War breaks out, Iran declares neutrality. But Britain and the Soviet Union fear that Reza Shah’s ties with Germany could tip the balance of power in the Middle East. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Sources for this episode . Episode Summary In the late 1930s, Europe braced for conflict as Adolf Hitler expanded German territory an...

Groomed for power from childhood, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was more than a prince. He was Reza Shah’s guarantee for a successful political project. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Episode Summary Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was born into a family driven by ambition and structured by discipline. His father, Reza Khan, was a military officer on...

After his first foreign trip, Reza Shah declares war on Islam and orders women to remove their hijab. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Episode Summary The drive for Iran’s modernization , particularly the push for secular reforms, began in the 1920s, when Reza Shah came to power. He marked his rule by efforts to modernize Iran’s infrastruct...

Murder, Banishment and Suicide. As Reza Shah’s rule becomes more authoritarian, the alliance that put him in power comes to a bitter end. Listen to part one here . Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Episode Summary Firuz , a Qajar prince and veteran statesman, had once held top roles across Iranian governments, including Minister of For...

Behind the Pahlavi dynasty were three politicians: the kingmakers who orchestrated Reza Khan’s rise and shaped his rule. But as Reza Shah tightened his grip on power, this alliance of three faced exile, prison, and death Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Additional listening: AIOC Read about Nowruz Celebration   on our blog. Episode Summary...

A torn-out contract, a paranoid shah, and Iran’s most lucrative resource. With Iran’s oil deal up for renewal, Reza Shah clashes with the British and grows suspicious of his closest allies. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon . Additional listening: APOC (Book one – Ep.3): Episode Summary In the early 20th century, Iran’s...

A new king, a unified nation, and a country on the brink of transformation. As Reza Shah Pahlavi seizes power, he reshapes Iran with relentless ambition, even at the cost of its democracy. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon . Episode Summary The Qajar dynasty had left Iran fragmented , with weak central authority...

In the aftermath of the parliament’s vote to abolish the Qajar dynasty, Reza Khan and his team lay the groundwork for his ascension to the throne and his official coronation as the new king. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok  or X  (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon . Episode Summary On October 31, 1925, with the vote of Iran’s National Consu...

As Iran’s exiled king prepares to return, the parliament grants Prime Minister sweeping powers. With the help of his rivals, Reza Khan sets out to dismantle the century-old Qajar Dynasty. Book One Recap: Audio , Video Follow us on Instagram , TikTok or X (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon . Episode Summary Reza Khan, a soldier from humble origins, rose to promin...

The Qajar dynasty was the embodiment of ineffectiveness. Tyrants incapable of true tyranny. This is the story of their demise. Season two of The Lion and the Sun Podcast will start next week. If you’re new to this show, we suggest starting with book one and working your way here! But if you’re not into revisiting the past or are one of our older listeners who has already listened to the previous s...

Down with the Qajars. Long Live Reza Shah. Listen to new chapters from January 29th. As we’re recording this, Iran is experiencing a wide range of issues. Both internal turmoil and external conflicts.  But the fascinating thing about this statement is that it doesn’t matter when you’re listening to this podcast. It could be a week from now, a month, or even years. No matter the time, the abo...

Reza Khan’s army marches toward Arabistan, Khaz’al tries to unite local tribes against the government and the battle for Arabistan reaches its breaking point. This is part two of a special episode of The Lion and the Sun to celebrate reaching 100k downloads. Listen to part one here . Thank you so much for your support and for listening to our show. We’ll be back in January 2025 with se...

A defiant Sheikh, a province rich in oil, and Reza Khan’s push to unify a fractured Iran. The story of Arabistan and how one local tribe became the biggest threat to Persia. This is a special two-part episode of The Lion and the Sun to celebrate reaching 100k downloads. Thank you so much for your support and for listening to our show. We’ll be back in January 2025 with season 2! Follow us on Insta...

In the season finale of the podcast, Reza Khan aims for total control, the young shah flees his country and Iran braces itself for a brave new world. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok or X (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon . Listen to all book one episodes on our website . Episode Summary Persia had been rocked by political instability in the years following Worl...

A new player emerges in Persian politics… How a journalist and a military lieutenant orchestrated the 1921 coup d’état and how Reza Khan gained control of Iran’s military and became an influential player in the government. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok or X (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon . Episode Summary In the early 1920s, Persia faced...