Dan Snow's History Hit – "A History of Iran" (Jan 15, 2026)

Overview

This episode of Dan Snow's History Hit features an in-depth conversation between Dan Snow and Professor Ali Ansari, a renowned historian of modern Iran at the University of St Andrews. Set against the backdrop of contemporary protests gripping Iran, the discussion traces the country’s tumultuous history from its earliest empires to the Islamic Republic of today, exploring how ancient legacies, repeated foreign interventions, contested sovereignties, and cultural identity have shaped modern Iran.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contemporary Iranian Protests: Context and Recurrence

• Dan Snow introduces the episode within the context of ongoing Iranian protests sparked by economic hardship and widening into broader political dissent against the regime (01:40–03:20).
• The discussion underscores the bravery of the current generation, aware of the dangerous cycles of crackdown in Iran’s recent history.
• Dan frames the episode: "Why does Iran keep returning to instability, protest, and brutal state response?" (03:20–04:10)

2. The Dual Foundations of Iranian History

• Ali Ansari highlights the "dual historical inheritance" of Iran: real historical figures (Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes) and densely influential mythological traditions (06:29–07:20).
• Quote: "That mythological history in many ways has informed the Iranian mind much more profoundly than the real history." — Prof. Ali Ansari (06:50)

3. The Ancient Empires and Cultural Boundaries

• Discussion of the original "Aryan" roots of the term Iran and the geographic scope of the ancient Persian world (07:32–09:29).
• The impact of Persian (Iranian) language and culture not just on Iran, but across Central and South Asia, particularly India under the Mughals.
• The Persian Empire as the "first universal empire," larger than all its predecessors and highly influential on both Eastern and Western identities (09:36–10:20).
• Memorable: Reference to Hegel—"All history begins with the Persians. The Persian Empire is where the light of consciousness begins, but then passes away." — Prof. Ali Ansari (10:12)

4. Interactions with Greece, Rome, and the Arab Conquest

• The Persian Empire's role as a foundational "other" in Western myth (10:20–12:00).
• The rise and character of the Parthian and Sassanian dynasties, culminating in the Arab conquest, which ended the Sassanian Empire (12:31–13:49).
• Arab conquest assessed: Not a full subjugation or overnight conversion but a long, negotiated process with complex cultural intermingling (14:01–15:55).
• "Vast tracts of Iran did not convert to Islam for centuries… it was actually a much more dynamic interchange between two cultures." — Ali Ansari (15:05)

5. Medieval Developments: Turks, Mongols, and the Transformation of Society

• Turkic (Seljuk) and Mongol invasions transformed Iran, shifting it from a primarily urban, agrarian society to a more nomadic, tribal one with long-lasting consequences for its political economy (16:12–20:19).
• The Mongol and Tamerlane onslaughts described as catastrophic, but not wholly terminal—more a deep reconfiguration than simple decline.

6. Safavids, Shiism, and the Shaping of National Identity

• Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) institutes Shiism as state religion—differentiating Iran starkly from its Sunni neighbors (22:55–24:00).
• Notable quote on religious tolerance: "Yes, Shiism was the dominant faith, but under the Safavids, you had Christians, Sunnis, Zoroastrians… it was quite multi-faith." — Ali Ansari (23:10)

7. The 18th-19th Centuries: Imperial Collapse, Rebirth, and European Encroachment

• 18th century: Afghan invasion, period of upheaval, emergence of Nader Shah, and the Qajar dynasty (24:00–27:00).
• First encounters with modern European colonial powers—Britain and Russia—intensify.
• The British and Russians vie for influence while Iran becomes a "buffer state" and manages to avoid outright formal colonization (28:12–33:38).
• "The Iranians were able… to play off these diverse pressures. But there was also an element where nobody really wanted to get involved, either." — Ali Ansari (28:45)

8. Modernization, the Pahlavis, and Missed Opportunities

• The 1921 coup and rise of Reza Khan (later Reza Shah), whose reforms sought to centralize, modernize, and secularize Iran, inspired by European models (38:59–44:17).
• Parallel developments in Turkey (Atatürk) and reflections on authoritarian modernization—"He’s the Peter the Great of Iran" (42:17–44:15).
• Crucially, the focus was on building a strong state, not on protecting individual rights—an essential tension in Iranian modernity (44:17–47:15).
• Reza Shah’s abdication in 1941 under Allied occupation; ascension of his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, who faced increasing external and internal pressures (47:15–49:37).

9. Oil, Nationalism, and the 1953 Coup

• The oil nationalization crisis of the early 1950s and the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in a CIA/MI6-backed coup (49:37–52:15).
• "…it’s much better to see this crisis not as a bilateral struggle between the Anglo-Americans and the Iranians, but a trilateral struggle." — Ali Ansari (49:48)

10. The White Revolution and Seeds of the Islamic Revolution

• The Shah’s "White Revolution" (1963)—top-down modernization (land reform, votes for women)—spurred rapid urbanization and economic growth but failed to democratize politics, creating new social contradictions (52:15–56:35).
• The Shah’s wealth and extravagance, especially the Persepolis celebration, further alienated segments of society (56:35–57:31).

11. Revolution, Republic, and Theocratic Rule

• The 1979 Islamic Revolution: multiple strands—leftist, nationalist, Islamic—combine to oust the Shah. Ayatollah Khomeini emerges as the symbolic leader (58:02–60:00).
• The enduring legacy of previous state structures (Pahlavi reforms) under the new Islamic Republic, but with an added clerical layer (the Supreme Leader) (60:00–63:00).
• Notable quote: "It was the turban replaced the crown… But the Pahlavi state, as built by Reza Shah, is still there." — Ali Ansari (63:00)

12. Post-Revolution Iran and Tension Between Republicanism and Theocracy

• Eight-year war with Iraq becomes a foundational myth (63:00–66:00).
• Ongoing struggle between republican/democratic and autocratic/theocratic elements; high point of reform during Khatami's presidency (1997–2005), followed by return to hardline autocracy (66:00–68:00).

13. Long Durations: National Identity and Foreign Policy

• Enduring sense of “Greater Iran”; ancient identity continues to shape policy and regional ambitions (70:31–72:29).
• Official narrative mixes Islamic and Persian nationalist strains—modern politics still references Achaemenid kings like Cyrus (70:31–72:29).

14. Advice for Western Policymakers and Understanding Iran’s Depth

• The importance of a long-term strategic approach and deeper cultural understanding from Western governments (72:29–75:12).
• Meaningful quote: "Iranians know their literature. They know their history. You don’t get the sense of how important that is unless you have an appreciation of the history or how they understand their history." — Ali Ansari (74:10)
• Quotation of Sa’di’s poem (attributed to Obama, but deeper in meaning): "We are all sons of Adam. When one part hurts, the other cannot but feel the pain. Therefore… take care in what you do." (74:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That mythological history in many ways has informed the Iranian mind much more profoundly than the real history." — Ali Ansari (06:50)
• "All history begins with the Persians. The Persian Empire is where the light of consciousness begins, but then passes away." — Ali Ansari, paraphrasing Hegel (10:12)
• "Vast tracts of Iran did not convert to Islam for centuries… it was actually a much more dynamic interchange between two cultures." — Ali Ansari (15:05)
• "He’s the Peter the Great of Iran." — Dan Snow (42:17)
• "It was the turban replaced the crown… But the Pahlavi state, as built by Reza Shah, is still there." — Ali Ansari (63:00)
• "Iranians know their literature. They know their history. You don’t get the sense of how important that is unless you have an appreciation of the history or how they understand their history." — Ali Ansari (74:10)
• On modern policy: "The west needs a clear strategy. It doesn't. You can't keep reacting to the Iranians. You need to have an endgame in sight…" — Ali Ansari (72:34)

Key Timestamps

• 01:40–04:10: Dan Snow sets episode themes, roots of protest in Iran
• 06:29–07:20: Dual mythological and historical identity of Iran
• 09:36–12:31: Ancient Empires — Persia, Parthia, Sassanids, and Western myths
• 14:01–16:55: Arab conquest and its aftermath in Iranian memory/culture
• 17:02–20:19: Mongol and Turkic impacts on society and economy
• 22:55–24:00: Safavid dynasty, Shiism and multi-faith society
• 28:12–33:38: 19th-century Great Power rivalries and balancing act
• 38:59–44:15: Reza Shah’s reforms and modern state-building
• 49:37–52:15: Mossadegh, oil nationalization, and the 1953 coup
• 52:15–56:35: White Revolution, economic/social transformation, precursors to revolution
• 58:02–60:00: The 1979 Revolution: its causes and coalitions
• 70:31–72:29: Continuities in Iranian national identity and foreign policy
• 72:34–75:12: Closing reflections/advice for Western policymakers; cultural literacy and strategy

Final Thoughts

Professor Ali Ansari's wide-ranging historical sweep demonstrates how modern crises in Iran—such as mass protests, cycles of authoritarianism, and tensions with the West—cannot be separated from the country’s deep and complex past. Both speaker and host convey a tone balancing scholarship, admiration for Iran’s achievements, and sober analysis of its persistent struggles, making this episode a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to understand Iran—past and present.

Recommended Reading:
Ali Ansari, "Modern Iran Since 1797: Reform and Revolution"