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Entertainment • Television

Tehran (TV series)

Tehran is an Israeli spy thriller television series created by Moshe Zonder for Kan 11 and distributed internationally by Apple TV.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tehran is an Israeli spy thriller television series created by Moshe Zonder for Kan 11 and distributed internationally by Apple TV. The series follows Tamar Rabinyan, a Mossad hacker-agent of Iranian Jewish descent, as she undertakes an undercover mission in Tehran. It premiered in 2020 and has released three seasons, with a fourth season announced.

Premise

The series follows Tamar Rabinyan, a Mossad hacker-agent who infiltrates Tehran under an assumed identity to help sabotage Iran’s nuclear programme. When the mission goes wrong, she is left trapped in a dangerous new situation.

Production and release

Tehran was created by Moshe Zonder, with writing by Zonder and Omri Shenhar and direction by Daniel Syrkin. It premiered on Kan 11 in June 2020 and on Apple TV internationally in September 2020.

Cast and seasons

Niv Sultan stars as Tamar, and later seasons added Glenn Close and Hugh Laurie to the cast. The series has released three seasons and has been renewed for a fourth.

Reception and recognition

The series received international attention as a cross-language Israeli espionage drama distributed by Apple TV. It was also noted in reports and reviews for tying fictional events to real Middle East tensions.

Key facts

  • The series was created by Moshe Zonder for Israel’s public channel Kan 11.
  • It is written by Moshe Zonder and Omri Shenhar and directed by Daniel Syrkin.
  • The story centres on Tamar Rabinyan, a Mossad agent sent on a mission in Tehran, Iran.
  • The series uses Hebrew, Persian, and English dialogue.
  • A second season premiered in 2022, and a third season was released in Israel in 2024 and on Apple TV in 2026.
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Canadian context

Apple TV’s international distribution makes Tehran widely available to Canadian viewers on the streaming platform.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tehran about?
It follows Tamar Rabinyan, a Mossad hacker-agent who goes undercover in Tehran on a mission involving Iran’s nuclear programme.
Who created Tehran?
The series was created by Moshe Zonder.
Where did Tehran first air?
It first premiered in Israel on Kan 11 on 22 June 2020.
What languages are used in Tehran?
The series includes dialogue in Hebrew, Persian, and English.
How many seasons does Tehran have?
Tehran has released three seasons and has been renewed for a fourth.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran_(TV_series)
    Supports: Creation, creators, directors, premiere dates, language, season count, and renewal status.
  2. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/show/tehran/umc.cmc.337cdk1ou0bmn6frmzxwm7xqd
    Supports: Series premise, cast, format, runtime, and Apple TV distribution.
  3. Apple TV — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_vHTy9IYA
    Supports: Official trailer information about creators, premise, and production credits.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/arts/television/tehran-review.html
    Supports: Context on the third season and the series’ engagement with current Middle East events.