In this episode of the PBD Podcast, Mohsen Sazegara, the founder of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), Iran’s most feared military force, sits down with Patrick Bet-David to expose what really happened behind closed doors during the 1979 Iranian revolution.
Sazegara, a former insider who has since turned his back on the Iranian regime, reveals how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps transformed from its original mission into a global power player linked to Hezbollah, Hamas, and international conflicts.
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Stay tuned after the interview for a full episode breakdown and a selection of highlights and standout moments.
Episode Summary
In this interview, Mohsen Sazegara reflected on how a movement that once promised justice and liberation spiraled into a brutal dictatorship. Sazegara, who played a pivotal role in shaping the IRGC, shares his firsthand account of the regime’s transformation under Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s role in regional conflicts, and his eventual disillusionment with the revolution he helped build.
The Birth of a Monster
Sazegara candidly describes how the IRGC, originally envisioned as a revolutionary force to protect Iran, evolved into a tool of repression and global terrorism. He acknowledges that many—including himself—initially saw Khomeini as a “man of God,” a pious leader who would bring justice to Iran. However, as time went on, it became clear that Khomeini had turned into a ruthless dictator, orchestrating mass executions and consolidating absolute power.
His realization that the revolution had gone horribly wrong came after witnessing years of political purges, imprisonments, and state-sanctioned violence. By then, it was too late—the IRGC had already become a force of fear, both inside Iran and across the Middle East.
The IRGC’s Role in Global Chaos
As one of its founders, Sazegara details how the IRGC grew into an international force that extended Iran’s influence through violence. He explains how the organization played a critical role in supporting militant groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, fueling conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.
According to Sazegara, the IRGC was directly involved in these proxy wars, providing weapons, training, and financial support to militant groups that have caused widespread destruction. He describes how the IRGC became synonymous with terrorism and repression, not only in Iran but across the Middle East.
Assassinations and Betrayals Within the Regime
One of the most shocking moments in the interview is when Sazegara recalls how one of his own subordinates, Masud Kashmiri, orchestrated the 1981 bombing that killed Iranian President Mohammad-Ali Rajai and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar.
Kashmiri, who worked directly under Sazegara, infiltrated the government as an intelligence official before planting a bomb that wiped out the country’s top leadership. The Iranian regime initially staged a fake funeral for Kashmiri, only for it to later be revealed that he had escaped. Sazegara’s account reveals the paranoia, deception, and power struggles within the regime, where betrayal was common and loyalty was fleeting.
The Iran-Iraq War: A Prolonged Tragedy
Sazegara also reflects on one of the greatest mistakes of Khomeini’s rule—the decision to extend the Iran-Iraq War for an additional six and a half years, even after Iranian forces had successfully expelled Saddam Hussein’s army from Iranian territory.
According to Sazegara, the war could have ended early, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Instead, Khomeini refused peace, leading to 235,000 more Iranian deaths and devastating the country’s economy. The war served as a tool for the regime to justify repression, silence opposition, and solidify its power under the guise of “defending the revolution.”
Disillusionment and Departure
By 1984, Sazegara had seen enough. He resigned from his position in the Iranian government and began questioning everything he had once believed in. He re-examined the teachings of the revolution’s leaders, trying to understand where things had gone wrong. His studies led him to the conclusion that Iran had simply replaced one authoritarian regime (the Shah’s monarchy) with another, far more dangerous one.
He draws historical comparisons to Europe’s Middle Ages, where religious authorities held absolute power, resulting in oppression and stagnation. He realized that Iran had fallen into the same trap—one where religion was weaponized for control and violence.
Iran’s Isolation and the Role of Foreign Powers
Sazegara also discussed the geopolitical strategies that kept Iran isolated from the West. He argues that Russia has long sought to ensure that Iran remains distant from Western investments, particularly in its vast oil and gas reserves.
He also touches on the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, emphasizing how foreign interventions have shaped Iran’s modern history. However, he makes it clear that while external forces played a role, the ultimate responsibility for Iran’s suffering lies with the Islamic Republic itself.
The IRGC’s Lasting Legacy
Sazegara does not mince words when describing the IRGC’s destructive influence. He links the IRGC to recent atrocities, including Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, and details how the IRGC has fueled chaos, terrorism, and oppression worldwide.
He acknowledges that the Iranian regime benefits from global instability, using conflict as a distraction from its domestic failures. Iran’s support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, he argues, is not about ideology but rather about maintaining power.
Final Reflections: A Revolution Gone Wrong
By the end of the interview, Sazegara leaves no doubt that the Iranian revolution was a catastrophic failure. What was meant to be a movement for justice and liberation instead became a regime of fear, repression, and endless war.
His story is a stark warning about the dangers of religious authoritarianism, the corruption of power, and the devastating cost of ideological extremism. As an insider-turned-dissident, his testimony serves as a powerful indictment of Khomeini’s rule and the IRGC’s role in shaping Iran’s tragic history.
Highlights & Standout Moments
Mohsen Sazegara recounts the 1981 bombing that killed Iran’s president and prime minister, the shocking revelation of the assassin’s survival, and the internal power struggles of the regime. He reflects on deception, betrayal, and how the IRGC ultimately benefited.
2. “25 MILLION People BRAINWASHED” – Islamic Revolutionary Guard CHALLENGED On The Power Of Propaganda
Mohsen Sazegara and Patrick Bet-David debate the power of propaganda in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. They explore how misinformation, ideological shifts, and mass influence led to widespread opposition against the Shah, shaping Iran’s future and global politics.
3. “Voice That Caused The Revolution” – IRGC’s Mohsen Sazegara’s Role In Iran’s Uprising REVEALED!
Mohsen Sazegara reflects on the power of propaganda in Iran’s 1979 Revolution, the role of misinformation, and his own involvement in spreading Khomeini’s message. He and Patrick Bet-David analyze how historical narratives shape perceptions of Iran’s past and future.
4. “Did The U.S. Control Iran?”- Islamic Revolutionary Guard CHALLENGES CIA Role In Iranian Revolution
Mohsen Sazegara debates theories about U.S. and British involvement in Iran’s 1979 Revolution, questioning whether foreign intelligence agencies played a role in Khomeini’s rise. He contrasts it with the 1953 coup, emphasizing who truly benefited from each event.
5. “3,500 Deaths vs MILLIONS” – HEATED Debate Over The Shah With Islamic Revolutionary Guard Founder
Mohsen Sazegara reflects on Iran’s 1979 revolution, acknowledging its unintended consequences. He contrasts the Shah’s secular rule with the Islamic Republic’s totalitarianism, arguing that Iran—and the Middle East—would have been far more stable had the Shah remained in power.
6. “Khomeini Was EVIL” – Iran Revolutionary Guard Founder Reveals the BRUTAL TRUTH About Iran’s Supreme Leader
Mohsen Sazegara shares his evolving perception of Ayatollah Khomeini, from a revered leader to a ruthless despot. He details Khomeini’s intellect, early kindness, and later brutal decisions, including mass executions, prolonged war, and the U.S. embassy hostage crisis.
7. “Russia Played Iran” – IRGC Founder REVEALS Islamic Revolution’s BIGGEST Winner
Mohsen Sazegara analyzes who truly benefited from Ayatollah Khomeini’s rise to power, pointing to Russia as the main geopolitical winner. He explores how Iran became isolated from the West, aligning with authoritarian regimes and fueling autocracy worldwide.
8. “Drugs, Terror & Nukes” – Islamic Revolutionary Guard BREAKS DOWN Khomeini’s Empire Of CHAOS
Mohsen Sazegara reflects on the origins of the IRGC, its transformation into a global force, and its role in conflicts worldwide. He discusses its vast influence, from military operations to economic control, and how it evolved into a multi-faceted powerhouse.
9. “I Wrote The IRGC’s Charter” – Mohsen Sazegara’s INSIDE LOOK At Islamic Revolutionary Guard Origins
Mohsen Sazegara, co-founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reflects on its origins, evolution, and unintended consequences. He discusses the revolution’s turning points, early security concerns, and his eventual departure from the IRGC.
10. “Consortium Agreement Of 1954” – IRGC Founder GRILLED Over Oil Deal’s Role In Iranian Revolution
Mohsen Sazegara and Patrick Bet-David debate the role of global powers in Iran’s 1979 Revolution, analyzing the influence of Western intelligence, military-industrial interests, and geopolitical strategy. They dissect economic motives, oil contracts, and long-term consequences.
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