History

The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran

by String Studios

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Latest episodes

The People v. AIOC

October 1, 2026 · 31 min

With British warships looming off Abadan and an economic war squeezing Iran, Britain drags the oil dispute before the United Nations, and Mosaddegh crosses the ocean to fight it himself. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X…
Nationalization - Part Two

September 10, 2026 · 24 min

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…
Nationalization (1)

April 9, 2026 · 28 min

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…
Paper City

March 19, 2026 · 29 min

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…
New Friends

March 5, 2026 · 31 min

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…

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Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP)

February 12, 2026 · 39 min

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…
Tehran Conference

January 29, 2026 · 30 min

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…
Book Three Trailer

January 13, 2026 · 3 min

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…
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)

March 12, 2025 · 29 min

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…
God, Shah, Nation

February 26, 2025 · 30 min

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…
Constituent Assembly

February 12, 2025 · 27 min

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…
A New Dynasty

January 29, 2025 · 29 min

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…

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About the show

2025 Signal Award Winner: Best History Podcast Iran’s history has been a never-ending struggle for liberty and independence. In this podcast, we tell the story of how Iran ended up where it is now and how religion, monarchy, democracy, and nationalism all played important roles in defining the lives of its people. Book One: The Qajars How the constitutional revolution created Iran’s very first parliament. 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 Shah The rise and fall of Reza Shah, the architect of modern Iran. 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. Book Three: Oil (January 2026) Listen to new episodes every other Wednesday.