Shah of Iran in 1976 warns Palestinians: Terrorism has limits- video

Palestinians must know that there is only a limit to where they can go and bully the world by terrorism, Shah of Iran said in 1976.

TEHRAN, Iran,— In a 1976 interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, Iran’s Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi delivered a blunt message to Palestinian militants: Their strategy of “bullying the world through terrorism and blackmail” would lead nowhere. The monarch, a key U.S. ally at the time, argued that such tactics had clear limits and only alienated potential Arab supporters.

“Palestinians must realize there is only so far they can go,” the Shah said. “You cannot endlessly bully the world—yes, by terrorism, blackmail, and these methods.” He added that even Arab leaders, whom he did not name, viewed Palestinian militancy as a problem rather than a solution.

The Shah’s remarks came during a wide-ranging discussion on Middle East tensions, U.S. politics, and Iran’s role in the region. While he reaffirmed support for Israel’s security, he insisted that Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967 was necessary for lasting peace.

A Strategy Leading Nowhere

The Shah criticized Palestinian leaders for failing to align with any coherent Arab leadership. When asked whether they had meaningful support from figures like Syria’s Hafez al-Assad, Egypt’s Anwar Sadat, or Jordan’s King Hussein, he replied bluntly: “They have none with any of these leaders—not to my knowledge.”

He reserved particular scorn for Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, who financed militant Palestinian factions, calling him “crazy” and “irresponsible.” The Shah’s remarks underscored his belief that Palestinian militancy only deepened their isolation rather than advancing their cause.

On U.S. Politics and the Jewish Lobby

The Shah also addressed U.S. foreign policy, arguing that American leaders were too influenced by pro-Israel lobbying groups. “They are controlling many things—newspapers, media, finances,” he said, though he acknowledged that their power might not always serve Israel’s best interests.

When pressed on whether major U.S. media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post were biased, he suggested their coverage often aligned with pro-Israel narratives. However, he conceded that television networks were less one-sided.

Denials of Corruption and Torture Claims

The interview also touched on allegations of corruption within Iran’s royal family, which the Shah dismissed outright. He similarly denied systematic torture by SAVAK, Iran’s secret police, though he admitted to “intelligent interrogation methods” in the past.

When confronted with an alleged torture victim’s account, the Shah acknowledged that abuses may have occurred years earlier but insisted such practices were no longer in use.

Unfazed by CIA Assessment

The Shah reacted with amusement when told of a CIA psychological profile describing him as a “dangerous megalomaniac.” He dismissed the report as speculative, reaffirming his commitment to Iran’s strategic interests.

(With files from 60 minutes/YouTube)