Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini (1979) | 60 Minutes Archive

Summary

In a rare interview, Ayatollah Khomeini speaks with Mike Wallace about the U.S. hostages in Iran and the demands for the return of the Shah. Khomeini insists the hostages will not be freed unless the Shah is returned to face trial for crimes against the Iranian people. He criticizes President Carter and Egyptian President Sadat, labeling them enemies of Islam. Khomeini emphasizes that the Iranian people support the demand for the Shah’s return and calls for Sadat's overthrow. Some hostages, including women and Black Americans, are mentioned as potentially being released.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The interview between Mike Wallace and Ayatollah Khomeini was the first by an American reporter since the Iran hostage crisis began.
• 🕊️ Khomeini indicated that the release of the hostages depended on the return of the former Shah of Iran to the country.
• 💰 Khomeini cited two main reasons for the Shah's return: the alleged theft of Iranian wealth and his crimes against the Iranian people during his rule.
• 🛑 The interview was strictly controlled, with many questions being pre-approved or disallowed by Khomeini’s interpreter.
• 📜 Khomeini’s regime claimed the hostages would remain in captivity until the Shah was returned, blaming U.S. President Jimmy Carter for not complying.
• ⚖️ Khomeini called for the Shah to stand trial for his actions, emphasizing the importance of accountability for his alleged crimes.
• 🇪🇬 Egyptian President Sadat criticized Khomeini, calling his actions a disgrace to Islam, but Khomeini rejected Sadat's views and encouraged Egyptians to overthrow him.
• 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏿 Some female and Black hostages were reportedly to be released, as Khomeini claimed Islam respects women and Black people oppressed by the U.S.
• 🤝 Khomeini insisted that Iran desired peace, but maintained that the U.S. embassy was a spy center and accused the U.S. of conspiracy.
• 📹 Despite the interview, Mike Wallace was not permitted to visit the embassy, but three hostages were briefly shown on camera by Iranian authorities.

Q & A

What was significant about the interview between Ayatollah Khomeini and Mike Wallace?

This was the first interview Ayatollah Khomeini gave to an American reporter since the beginning of the U.S. hostage crisis, making it a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations during the crisis.

What were the conditions set for the interview with Ayatollah Khomeini?

The interview had strict ground rules: all questions had to be approved ahead of time, and no questions about Iran's internal politics or the lack of freedom under the Ayatollah were allowed.

What was Ayatollah Khomeini's stance on the release of the American hostages?

Ayatollah Khomeini maintained that the American hostages would not be released until the U.S. returned the Shah of Iran to face justice in Iran.

What reasons did Ayatollah Khomeini give for wanting the Shah of Iran returned?

He cited two main reasons: 1) To recover the wealth the Shah allegedly stole from the Iranian people and deposited in foreign banks, and 2) To hold the Shah accountable for the crimes and treason committed during his 37-year rule.

How did Khomeini respond to U.S. President Carter’s accusation that Iran was practicing terrorism?

Khomeini rejected the accusation, stating that the term 'terrorists' was an insult to the students and the people of Iran, implying that the U.S. misunderstood the Iranian people's actions.

What was Khomeini’s reaction to Egyptian President Sadat calling him a 'lunatic' and a 'disgrace to Islam'?

Khomeini dismissed Sadat's criticism, accusing him of compromising with the enemies of Islam, particularly for maintaining a relationship with Israel. He called for the Egyptian people to overthrow Sadat.

Why did Khomeini believe the U.S. embassy was a 'spy nest'?

Khomeini claimed that he was unaware of the embassy’s alleged espionage activities until Iranian students uncovered evidence. He accused the U.S. embassy of being involved in conspiracies against Iran.

What role did Khomeini see for the U.S. President in resolving the hostage situation?

Khomeini stated that the responsibility lay with President Carter to return the Shah to Iran, which would result in the release of the hostages.

Were any exceptions made in releasing certain hostages?

Yes, Khomeini mentioned that some female and black hostages would be released, as women are given dignity in Islam and blacks had been oppressed in the United States.

Did Mike Wallace gain access to the U.S. hostages at the embassy?

Despite Khomeini’s claims that Wallace could visit the hostages, Wallace was ultimately not allowed into the embassy. However, three hostages were briefly presented to the media later that day.