# 146. How the CIA Rescued a Pilot Inside Iran (Ep 1)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rest-is-classified-7102916/146-how-the-cia-rescued-a-pilot-inside-iran-ep-1
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rest-is-classified-7102916/146-how-the-cia-rescued-a-pilot-inside-iran-ep-1.md
Podcast: [The Rest Is Classified](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-rest-is-classified-7102916)
Published: 2026-04-12T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT5831694566.mp3?updated=1776034915
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT5831694566.mp3?updated=1776034915
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-rest-is-classified-7102916/episodes/146-how-the-cia-rescued-a-pilot-inside-iran-ep-1
Duration seconds: 3595

## Resource

How involved were the CIA in the operation to rescue a US pilot stranded inside Iran? What does it take to "destroy" a nuclear programme? And what could Iran learn from North Korea? Listen as David and Gordon discuss the intricacies of the recent mission to extract a downed US Weapons Officer inside Iran and delve into how this operation might help the US and Israel launch an attack on Iran's nuclear programme. ------------------- THE REST IS CLASSIFIED LIVE 2026 at The Rest Is Fest: Buy your tickets ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see David and Gordon live on stage at London’s Southbank Centre on 4 September. ------------------- Sign-up for our free newsletter where producer Becki takes you behind the scenes of the show: ⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign-up⁠⁠ ------------------- Join the Declassified Club to go deeper into the world of espionage with exclusive Q&As, interviews with top intelligence insiders, regular livestreams, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, and weekly deep dives into original spy stories. Members also get curated reading lists, special book discounts, prize draws, and access to our private chat community. Just go to ⁠⁠therestisclassified.com⁠ or join on Apple Podcasts. ------------------- Get a 10% discount on business PCs, printers and accessories using the code TRIC10. Visit https://HP.com/CLASSIFIED for more information. T&C's apply. ------------------- Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠therestisclassified@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@restisclassified⁠ Social Producer: Emma Jackson Producer: Becki Hills Head of History: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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