Show Notes
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: Qajar Iran’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 Shah The 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.
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More from The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.