The 60 Minutes marathon, "Iran Through the Years," is a masterclass in historical journalism. It captures the rise and fall of the Pahlavi dynasty, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the modern era of shadow wars. For stakeholders and history buffs, this marathon provides the ultimate perspective on why the U.S.-Iran relationship is the most volatile fault line in 2026.
The Shah Era: Oil, Power, and Paranoia (1974–1976)
The marathon begins with Mike Wallace’s legendary interviews with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
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The Oil Boom: In 1974, the Shah was at the height of his power, defending a 400% increase in oil prices as Iran’s "natural wealth."
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The SAVAK Shadow: By 1976, the cracks were showing. Wallace pushed the Shah on his secret police, SAVAK, and its reputation for brutality. The Shah’s calm dismissal of torture—calling it "intelligent questioning"—remains one of the most chilling moments in archival TV.
1979: The Ayatollah and the Revolution
The tone shifts dramatically as Mike Wallace sits across from Ayatollah Khomeini just weeks after the Iran Hostage Crisis began.
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The Cultural Shift: You watch the "westernized" Tehran of the Shah vanish, replaced by the revolutionary zeal of the Islamic Republic.
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The Confrontation: Wallace asked Khomeini why Iranians endorsed the captivity of U.S. diplomats—a question that still defines the animosity between the two nations today.
2026 Perspective: Assassins and Shadow Wars
The marathon concludes with modern reports from Lesley Stahl and Margaret Brennan.
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The Global Reach: Reports on "Iran's Assassins" highlight the regime’s 2026 tactic of targeting dissidents and officials on Western soil (like Masih Alinejad and John Bolton).
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Nuclear Tensions: The marathon links these decades of history to the current 2026 standoff over Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its regional proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah).
Final Analysis: The Essence of the Marathon
This marathon isn't just a collection of old news; it is a geopolitical blueprint. It shows that the "Death to America" chants of 2026 didn't happen in a vacuum—they are the result of fifty years of oil politics, secret police, and revolutionary ideology.
The Takeaway: To understand the Middle East in 2026, you have to understand the Shah's confidence and Khomeini's defiance. 60 Minutes puts you in the room for both.
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