The Iran Society

The Iran Society is for anyone with an interest in Iran. We provide digital articles and a historical journal, as well as eight lectures a year, on the art, architecture, culture, geography and history of Iran.

Join the Iran Society to attend our in-person lectures.
Details of the next Iran Society lecture are below.

The next lecture in our programme is below; click to view details, including how to attend, or click the button below to view other upcoming lectures.

N.B. Lectures are for members only.

Featured
Aleksander Engeskaug: The Economy of Zoroastrian Fire Temples in Sasanian Iran
Apr 23
Aleksander Engeskaug: The Economy of Zoroastrian Fire Temples in Sasanian Iran

This lecture will attempt to explain in an accessible manner the main features of the Zoroastrian fire temple economy in Sasanian Iran and highlight new insights into modern research regarding the role of money, commerce and profit in the Sasanian economy.

Become an Iran Society member

Individual
£25 per year

Membership gives you access to all Iran Society lectures (including a drinks reception) and written resources for free.

Joint
£30 per year

For couples wanting to join together, we offer a discounted rate for joint membership to the Iran Society.

Student
£5 per year

We encourage students to join, to make use of our resources and community. Student membership is for a maximum of four years.

Read about Iran

Explore our brand new members-only digital space for articles on the art, architecture, culture and history of Iran below. Members also have ongoing access to our full journal archive from 2005.

Featured
American Presbyterian Missionaries and Iran: Ambiguity and Altruism; Arrogance and Amity. 1829-1980
American Presbyterian Missionaries and Iran: Ambiguity and Altruism; Arrogance and Amity. 1829-1980

A lecture given to the Iran Society by Michael Zirinsky, Boise State University, on 4 March 2024.

“First exploration of the American Mission in Iran began in 1829, toward the end of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar's reign, and a first station was established in Urmia in 1834.  The last missionaries left Iran in 1980, in the aftermath of the overthrow of Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi. Given the enmity which has existed between the governments of Iran and America since then, it is difficult to recall the positive view of America which these Presbyterian missionaries once engendered.”

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The Iran Society: a forum and community for people with an interest in Iran.

The Iran Society exists for those interested in Iran to learn more about and discuss its cultural and historical heritage, and to provide a forum where people with similar interests can meet. Around half our members are Iranian.

An impressive history of the Iran Society was compiled by the late Sir Denis Wright, our past president and twice ambassador to Iran; his account is available in our members’ area.