636. Revolution in Iran: Fall of the Shah (Part 1)

The podcast explores the events leading up to the Iranian Revolution, beginning with President Jimmy Carter's toast to the Shah of Iran in 1977. It details the Shah's rise to power, his modernization efforts, and his increasing reliance on the United States, as well as the growing corruption and inequality within Iran fueled by oil wealth. The discussion covers the emergence of Ayatollah Khomeini as a key opposition figure, his exile, and his influence through smuggled sermons. The podcast also examines the Shah's declining health, the misinterpretations of the US Embassy, and the Abadan cinema fire, which ignited widespread protests and ultimately led to the Shah's downfall.