50 Years of Iran Coverage | 60 Minutes Marathon

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi believed US gas shortages during the 1973 oil embargo were a 'fraud' orchestrated by oil companies for profit. He viewed accusations of corruption in Iran as 'jealousy' and claimed divine protection for his long rule. In 1976, he controversially asserted that the 'Jewish lobby' was overly powerful in the US, controlling media, banks, and finance, and influencing American presidents to Israel's detriment. He also acknowledged SAVAK agents operated in the US with US government consent, monitoring Iranian dissidents.

Mike Wallace's interviews with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1974 and 1976.

The widespread fury in Iran leading to the 1979 revolution was significantly fueled by the denied fact that the CIA restored the exiled Shah in 1953 and helped establish SAVAK, Iran's secret police. SAVAK became notorious for torture and repression. US officials, including Ambassador Richard Helms and CIA analyst Jesse Leaf, were aware of SAVAK's brutalities but prioritized maintaining the Shah as a 'pillar' against the Soviet Union, turning a blind eye to human rights abuses. This US 'total commitment' policy, as termed by Richard Cottam, alienated the Iranian populace and opposition groups.

Analysis during the hostage crisis (1980) and interviews with Raji Samghabadi, Max McCarthy, and Jesse Leaf. A classified Senate Foreign Relations Committee report confirmed the CIA's role in forming SAVAK and providing training, including interrogation techniques.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, shortly after the US Embassy takeover, declared that the 52 American hostages would not be freed until the Shah was returned to Iran, along with his 'plundered wealth.' He accused the US Embassy of being a 'spy nest' and dismissed President Carter's accusations of terrorism, stating that the 35 million people of Iran were not terrorists. Khomeini also called for the Egyptian people to overthrow President Sadat for 'compromising with the enemies of Islam' (Israel).

Mike Wallace's interview with Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979.

Iranian Presidents Rafsanjani (1997) and Ahmadinejad (2007) consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting their program was solely for peaceful energy. Rafsanjani claimed US sanctions were ineffective as European allies filled trade gaps. Ahmadinejad dismissed US accusations of sending weapons to Iraq as 'laughable' and 'psychological warfare,' stating that nuclear bombs were 'of no use.' President Rouhani (2015) defended the JCPOA nuclear deal, stating it limited paths to a bomb and aimed to build trust, despite hardliner opposition in both the US and Iran. He clarified 'Death to America' chants were against US policies, not its people, citing historical grievances.

Interviews with Presidents Rafsanjani (1997), Ahmadinejad (2007), and Rouhani (2015).

The US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020 was ordered by President Trump due to intelligence indicating Soleimani was planning 'imminent' attacks on US forces. Iran retaliated with a ballistic missile attack on Al Asad airbase in Iraq, the largest such attack against Americans. Despite 11 missiles with 1,000lb warheads hitting the base, no one was killed, though over 100 US troops suffered traumatic brain injuries. US General Frank McKenzie credited a timely evacuation, based on commercial satellite imagery analysis, for preventing an estimated 100-150 casualties and averting a wider war. Iran later mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner, killing 176, believing it was an American bomber.

David Martin's 2021 report, including interviews with Major Alan Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Garland, Master Sergeant John Haynes, Sergeant Kimbol Celts, and General Frank McKenzie.

In 2022, President Ebrahim Raisi expressed deep distrust of the US, demanding 'guarantees' that any new nuclear deal would be 'lasting' and that the US would not unilaterally withdraw, citing past American behavior. He dismissed US claims about Iran's nuclear weapons program as 'baseless' and stated that possessing nuclear weapons has 'no place in our doctrine.' Raisi also refused a meeting with President Biden, saw no change between Trump and Biden administrations regarding sanctions, and denied the scale of the Holocaust, stating historical events should be 'investigated by researchers.' He vowed justice for Soleimani's assassination but denied Iran would engage in 'an eye for an eye' assassinations.

Lesley Stahl's interview with President Ebrahim Raisi in 2022.

Iran is engaged in a 'shadow war,' actively hiring international criminal gangs to intimidate, abduct, and assassinate perceived enemies of the regime globally, including on US soil. Targets include former US government officials like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, as well as vocal Iranian activists abroad like Masih Alinejad and Jamshid Sharmahd. The FBI confirmed plots to kidnap Alinejad via speedboat to Venezuela and later to assassinate her. Iran uses criminal proxies to maintain 'deniability' and exploit their existing networks. British counterterrorism policing reported foiling 15 Iranian kidnapping and assassination attempts since 2022.

Lesley Stahl's 2023 report, including interviews with John Bolton, Masih Alinejad, Giselle Sharmahd, and Matt Jukes (UK counterterrorism).

Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah, sees the Iranian regime as collapsing and aims to lead a transitional government to democracy. He envisions a new Iran with territorial integrity, clear separation of religion and state, equality under law, individual liberties, and a democratic process for self-determination. Pahlavi supports dismantling the nuclear weapons program and establishing peace with Israel, citing Iran's historical role in sheltering Jews. He believes he is uniquely positioned as a transitional leader, not a future monarch, and has signaled support from elements within the Iranian military and police.

Scott Pelley's interview with Reza Pahlavi in 2023.