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The Soviet spy who couldn't love

The Soviet spy who couldn't love

Ben Macintyre introduces an extraordinary agent with a sexual secret – a secret that changed the course of Iranian history and may, just may, have averted nuclear war

Spencer Mizen

Published: September 25, 2026 at 3:36 PM

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In 1981, a Soviet spy walked into MI6 HQ in Tehran and offered to defect to Britain – if, in return, Britain could help him improve his performance in bed.

In this episode, Ben Macintyre introduces Spencer Mizen to an extraordinary agent with a sexual secret – a secret that changed the course of Iranian history and may, just may, have averted nuclear war.

Authors

Spencer MizenSenior production editor

Spencer is senior production editor of HistoryExtra magazine