KARACHI: A five-decade-old archival interview of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has resurfaced and gone viral on social media, sparking intense debate over his candid insights into the historical dynamics of US-Israel relations.
In the viral video snippet, the late Shah claims that Israel wields immense influence over key global sectors and exerts significant pressure on American politics.
The Intense Exchange with Mike Wallace
The remarks were made during a hard-hitting interview with legendary American journalist Mike Wallace, who appeared visibly taken aback by the Shah’s bold assertions.
When Wallace directly asked whether the Israeli lobby in the United States “controls” American presidents, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi responded that while the lobby might not have 100% total control, even a fraction of their influence is powerful enough to heavily sway decisions in Israel’s favor. Probing further, Wallace asked how this was achieved. The Shah explained that Israel utilizes various channels, means, and methods to exert pressure on key individuals. He added a cautionary note, stating, “I think this will not end well for Israel.”
“They Control Media, Banks, and Finance”
As the interview progressed, Wallace pushed for specifics on why American presidents seem so deeply attentive to the Israeli lobby’s interests.
“Because they are powerful,” the Shah replied bluntly, stating that they control critical pillars of influence.
When pressed by the anchor to define exactly what they control, the Shah of Iran concluded with a stark breakdown:
“Newspapers, media, banks, finance… and I will stop there.”
