The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran

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 [https://thelionandthesun.org/606/book-one-special-episode-arabistan-1/]. 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 Instagram [https://instagram.com/tlatspodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@tlatspodcast/] or X [http://twitter.com/tlatspodcast] (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tlatspodcast]. EPISODE SUMMARY Sheikh Khaz’al al-Ka’bi had long defied Tehran’s authority, ruling his province autonomously, with British support cemented by the discovery of oil in 1908. This autonomy made Khuzestan, or Arabistan as it was then known, a strategic prize. Reza Khan, driven by a vision of national unity, viewed such tribal independence as a barrier to modernization. Reza Khan’s ambitions initially faced obstacles, including the fragmented nature of Iran’s armed forces and British interests in the region. But over time, he unified the military, consolidated power, and prepared for his move against Khaz’al. Sensing the threat, Khaz’al sought alliances with other tribes and even appealed to the exiled Qajar king for support, but his influence proved insufficient. Reza Khan strategically reshuffled his cabinet to neutralize Khaz’al’s allies and launched his campaign. British authorities, recognizing the shifting dynamics, withdrew their support for the sheikh. Left isolated, Khaz’al attempted to negotiate, eventually offering an apology to Reza Khan. However, Reza Khan’s plans were already set in motion, and his army occupied Khuzestan, formally reasserting control and renaming the province from Arabistan back to Khuzestan. Though the conflict ended without bloodshed, Khaz’al’s autonomy was gone. Reza Khan had achieved his goal of centralizing power, but the victory marked only the beginning of a tense relationship between Iran and the British over control of the region’s oil resources. Khaz’al, placed under house arrest in Tehran, lived out his remaining years in isolation, with occasional visits from Reza Khan, who both respected and neutralized his former rival. This triumph paved the way for Reza Khan’s future reign as king, setting the stage for new challenges that would emerge in the following years. The episode underscores the intricate interplay of ambition, diplomacy, and power struggles that shaped modern Iran. MUSIC Soundridemusic – Stranger * Piotr Hummel – Demons * Kai Engel – Collateral * Piotr Hummel – Phenomenal * Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – Monarch of Fate * Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – The Attonement * Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – Dissemination The post Book One – Special Episode: Arabistan (2) [https://thelionandthesun.org/658/book-one-special-episode-arabistan-2/] appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast [https://thelionandthesun.org].

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 Instagram [https://instagram.com/tlatspodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@tlatspodcast/] or X [http://twitter.com/tlatspodcast] (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/tlatspodcast]. EPISODE SUMMARY In 1922, Iran faced a pivotal moment in its history as the country struggled to recover from the devastation of World War I [https://thelionandthesun.org/548/book-one-ep-7-the-great-war/]. The weak Qajar dynasty grappled with economic instability and widespread corruption, leaving many regions of Iran operating autonomously. One such region was Khuzestan. A province stretching from the Zagros Mountains to the Persian Gulf. Despite its harsh climate, Khuzestan held immense value due to its vast oil fields discovered in the early 20th century. This province, often referred to as Arabistan, fell under the control of Sheikh Khaz’al al-Kaʽbi, the powerful leader of the Banu Ka’b tribe. Sheikh Khaz’al rose to prominence in 1897, inheriting his brother’s wealth and tribal territories. He cultivated strong ties with the British government, which saw Khuzestan as a critical strategic asset. The sheikh’s influence grew dramatically following the discovery of oil [https://thelionandthesun.org/555/book-one-ep-8-apoc/] in Masjid Soleiman in 1908, transforming the region into Britain’s most valuable holding in Iran. The British rewarded Khaz’al’s cooperation with shares in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and knighted him in 1917, granting him the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. Emboldened by British support, Sheikh Khaz’al began to operate independently from the central Persian government. He refused to pay taxes or provide accounting for the customs duties he collected. Meanwhile, in Tehran, a significant political shift occurred in 1921 when Reza Khan, a military leader, seized power through a coup [https://thelionandthesun.org/562/s01e0-thecoup/]. Reza Khan envisioned a unified Iran with a strong central government. He viewed the autonomy of tribal leaders like Sheikh Khaz’al as a threat to national progress and modernization. The conflict between Reza Khan’s centralization efforts and Sheikh Khaz’al’s entrenched power came to a head in 1922. The cash-strapped central government in Tehran issued a formal request to Sheikh Khaz’al, demanding he settle his long-overdue accounts with the capital. Despite advice from British representatives to reach a compromise, Khaz’al, confident in his position, chose to ignore the government’s demands. This act of defiance provided Reza Khan with the justification he needed to take action against the powerful sheikh. The stage was set for a showdown between the central government’s vision of a unified Iran and the longstanding autonomy of tribal leaders. MUSIC Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – Path to the Abyss Piotr Hummel – Demons Piotr Hummel – Phenomenal Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – The Dawning The post Book One – Special Episode: Arabistan (1) [https://thelionandthesun.org/606/book-one-special-episode-arabistan-1/] appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast [https://thelionandthesun.org].

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 [https://instagram.com/tlatspodcast], TikTok [https://tiktok.com/@tlatspodcast] or X [https://twitter.com/tlatspodcast] (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon [http://patreon.com/tlatspodcast]. Listen to all book one episodes on our website [https://thelionandthesun.org/category/podcast/]. EPISODE SUMMARY Persia had been rocked by political instability in the years following World War I. Prime ministers had come and gone, unable to establish a stable government amidst the chaos. However, Reza Khan had emerged as a powerful figure. He leveraged his position to exert his influence over the successive administrations and even Ahmad Shah. Reza Khan’s ambitious military spending and unwavering demands led to a wheat shortage in the capital, sparking public outrage. This provided an opportunity for Reza Khan’s rivals, such as Mosaddegh and Modarres, to challenge his actions. But Reza Khan navigated the political landscape with skill, eventually securing the position of Prime Minister after Ahmad Shah’s departure. Inspired by the establishment of the Turkish Republic, Reza Khan launched a campaign to transform Persia into a republic, with himself as the first president. However, this plan faced fierce opposition from the religious faction in the parliament. This was led by Modarres, who feared that Reza Khan’s quest for power will diminish the role of Islam in the country. The confrontation between Reza Khan and the pro-monarchy forces culminated in a dramatic showdown in the parliament. There, Reza Khan’s bill for a republic was ultimately defeated. Undeterred, Reza Khan regained his footing. Through a series of political maneuvers, he managed to consolidate his power further, effectively becoming the king regent. Reducing the Qajar dynasty to a mere formality. Reza Khan was determined to remove the Qajar stain from Iran’s history. He moved to establish a new dynasty in his own name, setting the stage for the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty in the next season of the podcast. MUSIC * Kai Engel – Difference * Kai Engel – Somnolence * Gunnarsson – Granada * Mozart – Lacrimosa * Scott Buckley – The Illusionist The post Book One – Ep.10: Brave New World [https://thelionandthesun.org/587/book-one-ep-10-brave-new-world/] appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast [https://thelionandthesun.org].

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 [https://instagram.com/tlatspodcast], TikTok [https://tiktok.com/@tlatspodcast] or X [https://twitter.com/tlatspodcast] (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon [http://patreon.com/tlatspodcast]. EPISODE SUMMARY In the early 1920s, Persia faced a period of intense political turmoil following World War I [https://thelionandthesun.org/548/book-one-ep-7-the-great-war/]. Amidst this chaos, two figures emerged with plans to reshape Persia’s future: Seyyed Zia al-Din Tabataba’i, a journalist turned political activist, and Reza Khan, a rising military leader from the Cossack Brigade. On February 21, 1921, these men orchestrated a military coup in Tehran. Reza Khan led 4,000 Cossack soldiers into the capital, while posters declaring martial law appeared throughout the city. The existing government quickly fell, and Ahmad Shah appointed Sayyed Zia as the new prime minister. Sayyed Zia’s tenure began with promises of reform and appeals to national pride. However, his rule lasted only three months before he was removed from office and exiled, having alienated both the elite and working classes. While Sayyed Zia’s influence waned, Reza Khan’s power grew. As Minister of War, he unified the country’s military factions under his command. His successes in pushing back foreign influences and quelling internal rebellions won him widespread support. By October 1923, Reza Khan had become so influential that Ahmad Shah appointed him Prime Minister. This marked a significant shift, as a man of humble origins now held the highest civilian office in the land. For Reza Khan, however, this was just a stepping stone. He envisioned himself as the undisputed leader who could restore Persia to its former glory. MUSIC * Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – Digital Future * Kai Engel – Somnolence * Hampus Naeselius – Highway Chase * Hampus Naeselius – Close Quarters * Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – Covert Affairs The post Book One – Ep.9: The Coup [https://thelionandthesun.org/562/109-the-coup/] appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast [https://thelionandthesun.org].

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. Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/tlatspodcast], TikTok [https://tiktok.com/@tlatspodcast] or X [https://twitter.com/tlatspodcast] (Twitter). For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon [http://patreon.com/tlatspodcast]. EPISODE SUMMARY In the early 20th century, Iran underwent a transformative period centred around the discovery of oil and its far-reaching consequences. The Qajar dynasty, ruling Iran at the time, had a practice of selling concessions to foreign powers. William Knox D’Arcy, an English entrepreneur, capitalized on this in 1901, securing rights to explore for oil in southern Iran. After years of challenging exploration, D’Arcy’s team, led by George Reynolds, struck oil in Masjed Soleyman in 1908. This discovery led to the formation of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC), which quickly dominated oil operations in the region. Recognizing oil’s strategic importance, the British government purchased a majority stake in APOC in 1913, a move championed by Winston Churchill. The city of Abadan was developed rapidly as an oil hub, but with stark inequalities between British and Iranian quarters. As World War I began in 1914, Britain increased its military presence in Iran to protect its oil interests. Percy Sykes established the South Persia Rifles in 1916, adding to the complex military landscape that included the Persian Gendarmerie and Cossack Brigade. Concurrently, the socialist Jangal movement in the north of the country, led by Mirza Kuchak Khan gained momentum, especially after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution [https://thelionandthesun.org/548/book-one-ep-7-the-great-war/]. With support from the Red Army, the movement briefly declared the Gilan Socialist Republic in 1920, challenging both the central government and British interests. In 1919, the Anglo-Persian Agreement, championed by British statesman George Curzon, aimed to grant Britain extensive control over Iranian affairs under the guise of a partnership. Despite initial support from some Iranian officials, widespread public opposition led to its cancellation in 1920. This period set the stage for significant changes in Iran, foreshadowing the rise of Reza Khan and the ultimate fall of the Qajar dynasty. MUSIC * Forgotten Marches- Kai Engel * Somber Descent – Kai Engel * Somnolence – Kai Engel * Cinematic Epic Orchestra – Alex Productions The post Book One – Ep.8: APOC [https://thelionandthesun.org/555/book-one-ep-8-apoc/] appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast [https://thelionandthesun.org].