The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran

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 RecapBook 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 invasion of Iran, Reza Shah was forced to abdicate and leave the country. His departure secured British and Soviet access to Iran as a wartime supply route while preserving the monarchy. Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Foroughi moved quickly to protect the succession, discreetly bringing the 21-year-old crown prince to parliament and overseeing his oath. Mohammad Reza was declared shah within hours of his father's exile. The new monarch inherited a country in crisis. Foreign troops occupied key regions, trade routes were disrupted, and famine and unrest spread across the population. Regional tensions threatened unity, and few trusted the inexperienced king to hold the state together. Lacking authority, he relied heavily on senior politicians to manage the transition. Foroughi led those efforts. He aligned Iran with the Allies, persuaded parliament to abandon neutrality, and negotiated the Tripartite Treaty, which recognized Iran's territorial integrity while granting the occupying powers access to the country's roads, railways, and resources. After stabilizing the situation, he resigned due to failing health and died soon after, leaving the young shah without his most experienced advisor. In 1943, Tehran hosted a summit between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. Although the conference affirmed Iran's independence, the country played little role in the negotiations and remained subject to foreign influence. At the same time, the fall of Reza Shah's authoritarian rule reopened political life. Newspapers returned, parties formed, and labour movements organized. To maintain legitimacy, Mohammad Reza adopted a more constitutional approach and shared power with parliament. By the mid-1940s, Iran faced an uncertain future. A young king, renewed political activity, and competing foreign powers shaped a fragile balance between sovereignty and dependence. Yet the continued presence of external powers and the country's history of disrupted progress left the future uncertain. Music Will Van De Crommert – A Ray of Elegance Schubert – Trio No. 2, Op. 100, Andante con moto Kai Engel – Collateral Daniel Catalá – Elevare Spearfisher – Infinity Cycle The post Book Three – Ep.1: Tehran Conference appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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 full picture, start with book one and follow the story through to book three; but if you're short on time, the season two recap will get you up to speed. (and the season one recap doesn't hurt either!) The Lion and the Sun is a podcast about the modern history of Iran. It’s a story of how Iran ended up where it is now and how religion, monarchy, democracy, and nationalism shaped the lives of its people across the 20th century. Book One: QajarHow the constitutional revolution created Iran's very first parliament (Majlis). This season follows the story of the fading Qajar monarchy, as unrest, foreign meddling, and political betrayal set the stage for Reza Khan's rise to power. Book Two: Reza ShahThe rise and fall of Reza Shah, the architect of modern Iran. Season Two chronicles the meteoric rise of Reza Khan from a simple soldier to the founding Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, his radical transformation of Iran into a modern state, and his ultimate downfall. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter).For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon. The post Book Two Recap appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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 became a model for American interventions for decades and reshaped Iran's relationship with the United States forever. This season, we're talking about Iran's oil, the life of Mohammad Mosaddegh and his ultimate clash with the US and Britain Catch up with Iran’s story from the beginning: Book One: QajarIran's constitutional revolution and the birth of its first parliament. This season traces the final years of the Qajar monarchy, as unrest, foreign interference, and political betrayal pave the way for Reza Khan's rise. Book Two: Reza ShahThe making of modern Iran … and the cost of building it. Follow Reza Khan's ascent from soldier to shah, his sweeping reforms, and the downfall that ended his rule You can listen to us on all podcast platforms and read the transcripts on our site. The post Book Three Trailer appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book Two – Special Episode: Exiled King appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

in 1941, Britain and the Soviet Union invade Iran in hopes of a regime change and Reza Shah contemplates abdication. The post Book Two – Ep.10: Abdication appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book Two – Ep.9: World War II appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

Groomed for power from childhood, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was more than a prince. He was Reza Shah's guarantee for a successful political project. The post Book Two – Ep.8: The Heir appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

After his first foreign trip, Reza Shah declares war on Islam and orders women to remove their hijab. Follow us... The post Book Two – Ep.7: Unveiling appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

Murder, Banishment and Suicide. As Reza Shah's rule becomes more authoritarian, the alliance that put him in power comes to a bitter end. The post Book Two – Ep.6: Triumvirate (2) appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

Behind the Pahlavi dynasty were three politicians who orchestrated Reza Khan's rise and shaped his rule. This is the story of their fall. The post Book Two – Ep.5: Triumvirate (1) appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book Two – Ep.4: AIOC appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book Two – Ep.3: God, Shah, Nation appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book Two – Ep.2: Constituent Assembly appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book Two – Ep.1: A New Dynasty appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

The Qajar dynasty was the embodiment of ineffectiveness. Tyrants incapable of true tyranny. This is the story of their demise. Listen to book one recap to get ready for new episodes! The post Book One Recap appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

The fall of house of Qajar and the rise of Reza Shah and the Pahlavi dynasty. Listen to book two of The Lion and the Sun on Jan. 29! The post Book Two Trailer appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book One – Special Episode: Arabistan (2) appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book One – Special Episode: Arabistan (1) appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

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. The post Book One – Ep.10: Brave New World appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

A new player emerges in Persian politics…How a journalist and a military lieutenant orchestrated the 1921 coup d'état and how... The post Book One – Ep.9: The Coup appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

The biggest oil field the world had ever seen, a foreign military occupation and a socialist revolution in the north. As Russia's influence wanes, Britain seizes control of Iran's newfound oil wealth and expands its influence in the region. The post Book One – Ep.8: APOC appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

As the great war breaks out in Europe, Persia is turned into the ultimate proxy battleground. The story of the First World War and how British, Russian, and German forces competed for control in Iran. The post Book One – Ep.7: The Great War appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

An old king tries to reclaim his throne, the United States sends Morgan Shuster to help Iran's finances, and Russia invades. The complicated history of Iran and Russia and how the Russian influence impacted Iran's democracy. The post Book One – Ep.6: Russian Roulette appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

Two constitutionalist armies arrive at the gates of Tehran and Mohammad Ali Shah prepares the capital of Iran for an all-out war. How battle of Tehran reshaped the future of democracy in Iran and how the country was forced to change in its aftermath. The post Book One – Ep.5: Battle of Tehran appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

The battle for Iran's constitutional democracy rages on as the reactionary forces of Mohammad Ali Shah lay siege to the Parliament. In the aftermath of brutal bombardment, pockets of resistance emerge across the nation. Amidst chaos and bloodshed, the very soul of Iran hangs in the balance. Who will prevail in this defining struggle for the future of the nation? The post Book One – Ep.4: The Bombardment appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

What comes after establishing democracy in a nation? Protecting it at all costs. In this episode, the ideals of democracy clash with the limitations of Islam and the new Shah maneuvers to undermine the parliament's authority, even as the people take to the streets to defend their hard-won freedoms. The post Book One – Ep.3: Tale of Two Shahs appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

What can you do when the king is assassinated, prices are high and the country is in crisis? You demand a parliament. The story of how Persia's first national assembly (Majlis) was established and how democracy found its way into Iran. The post Book One – Ep.2: Persian Awakening appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

How a religious ban on tobacco jump started the fight for Persia's democracy. The story of the Qajar dynasty, their attempt at auctioning Persia's resources and how Iranians came together to fight foreign influence and protect their right to smoke. The post Book One – Ep.1: The Fatwah appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

The modern history of Iran begins with a myth, a lion and a sun ... The post Prologue – The Lion and the Sun appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.

Welcome to the Lion and the Sun Podcast: A Modern History of Iran The post Trailer appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.