Targeting Americans; Secretary Hegseth | 60 Minutes Full Episodes
In a Nutshell
60 Minutes exposes Havana Syndrome as attacks by a portable, pulsed microwave weapon from a Russian criminal network—acquired undercover by US agents for $15M and tested to match victims' brain injuries—alleging a massive CIA cover-up to avoid declaring war on Russia, despite hundreds of cases hitting US officials even at home and the White House. Victims like retired Lt. Col. Chris, his wife Heidi, and ex-CIA exec Mark Polymeoropoulos describe identical debilitating symptoms, with Stanford's Dr. David Relman confirming radiofrequency energy as the cause, buried by government despite new evidence. The episode shifts to SecDef Pete Hegseth defending ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury, rejecting regime change labels, demanding unconditional surrender to crush nuclear ambitions, and dismissing criticisms amid casualties, Russian intel aid to Iran, and stalled Strait of Hormuz oil flows.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
US government officials describe being hit by an overpowering force causing lifelong disabilities. One victim felt a vice gripping the brain stem. Another felt fullness in the head and a piercing headache.
60 Minutes details a classified intelligence mission discovering a new kind of weapon built by a foreign adversary. Acknowledging a state actor behind it is essentially a declaration of war against the United States.
Leslie Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, John Wertheim, Cecilia Vega, Bill Whitaker. Stories include Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on US and Israeli strikes in Iran entering their second week.
You said this is not a regime change war, but the regime has changed. That's obvious. Can you square the two?
Classified US intelligence mission obtained a previously unknown weapon unlocking the mystery since at least 2016. US diplomats, spies, and military officers suffered crippling brain injuries from an overwhelming force damaging vision, hearing, balance, and cognition. Government doubted stories, calling victims delusional. Weapon obtained overseas, secretly tested on animals on a US military base. 60 Minutes investigated for 9 years; fourth story titled Targeting Americans.
Chris and Heidi (last name withheld), Air Force Academy graduates. Chris retired as lieutenant colonel on classified spy satellites. Attacked five times in five months near Washington DC, all in their home.
- First incident August 2020: Punched in throat, left ear clogged, sharp pains down left arm.
- Second: Vice on head in kitchen, disoriented, confused, dizzy.
- Third end of September: Muscles in spine cramped like Charlie horse, spine on fire, hot and sharp.
- Fifth early December: Full body convulsion, worst pain ever, vice gripping brain stem.
Heidi attacked beginning of January: Immense joint pain, shoulder pain, bones dissolving (osteolysis), required surgery. On two neurological drugs daily; significant damage to multiple organ systems. Believe attacked by foreign adversary in line of duty.
- FBI agent: Bam, inside right ear like dentist drilling on steroids.
- Commerce Department official in China: Sound in head, intense pressure on temples.
- Early victim from Cuba (Havana syndrome): Severe ear pain like sharp pencil poking eardrum.
- Wife of Justice Department official in Europe: Pierced ears from left side through window, fullness in head, piercing headache. Multiple surgeries on inner ear and skull bones.
Victims never met but describe similarly. Government acknowledges injuries, pays healthcare, but doubted cause: atmospheric, environmental, virus, pre-existing, mass hysteria (FBI). 2023 official word: very unlikely foreign adversary attacks.
Dr. David Relman, Stanford professor, led government panels (2020, 2022) with doctors, physicists, engineers.
The two panels both concluded the most plausible explanation for a subset of cases was a form of radio frequency or microwave energy.
Microwaves in electromagnetic spectrum: ovens, radar, TV, phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. Russia (former Soviet Union) researched unique microwave patterns damaging brain: loss of consciousness, seizures, memory lapses, concentration issues, headaches, pressure, pain, disorientation, balance problems.
2014 NSA intelligence via lawsuit: high-powered microwave system weapon associated with hostile country. CIA thought too big (truck-sized). Relman's panels shelved.
What unnerves me is the confidence with which others dismissed this work... Show me new evidence. Nobody has.
Do you believe your studies were downplayed? By parts of the US government? Absolutely. Not only downplayed, but dismissed, buried.
Former CIA officer (name withheld), volunteered 2021 for CIA's AHI (Anomalous Health Incidents) investigation due to colleagues' suffering: destroyed lives, ruined careers, kids with developmental issues, cognitive problems years later.
First heard: job to "bring down the temperature on AHI" – push atmospheric/environmental causes, not state actor. Fear caused havoc: families left tours early, chose safer locations government-wide. Boss mocked victims at happy hour, emulating strokes.
This was one of the more disgusting things... We're going to prove this is psychosomatic, atmospheric, environmental.
Resigned over moral issue; CIA said people highest priority but actions contradicted. CIA investigation ended 2022.
US agents (Department of Homeland Security) heard Russian criminal network selling microwave weapon. Undercover bought it 2024 for $15 million (Pentagon-funded). Portable, concealable, low power.
Hundreds of attacks reported, including CIA headquarters Virginia, at least two at White House grounds.
Former CIA executive (3-star general equivalent), top decoration 2017. Attacked in Moscow hotel: woke with vertigo, room spinning, blinding headache, tinnitus, nausea. Treated for vertigo, migraines, vision loss, memory/concentration issues. Retired disabled. 2023 agency conclusion: very unlikely attacked.
This is a massive CIA cover up... with great regret.
Moral injury, sense of betrayal... I can never forgive them.
Miniaturized microwave weapon from Russian criminal network. Concealed, small, carryable, silent, no oven heat. Programmable, remote control, range several hundred feet, penetrates windows/drywall. Vital components Russian-made. Key: software shapes unique electromagnetic wave – rises/falls abruptly, pulses rapidly (pulsed microwave radiation).
Relman: Russians perfected pulsed energy for biological effects, stimulates brain/heart tissue.
Ideal stealth weapon... person feels as if this is in my head.
Tested >1 year US military lab on rats/sheep: injuries match human cases. Security videos (classified): restaurant Istanbul (FBI agents grab heads as man with backpack enters); stairwell US embassy Vienna (two collapse).
Biden White House summoned ~6 victims ~2 months before term end. Relman (adviser) organized; believed victims, rejected CIA's medical/environmental claims.
High-level CIA source: "This is the biggest cover up I've seen in my adult life."
Yes, I do... not pre-planned but same result.
Motive: make it go away for normal operations; dug-in views on non-thermal microwaves.
Retired Maj. Gen. Paul Friedrich at meeting: Apologized for terrible treatment in 30+ years military medicine.
Polymeoropoulos: New intelligence changed things.
Biden White House drafted but never released public statement backing victims. Trump admin unchanged 2023 assessment but briefed Congress with classified weapon picture; DoD investigators moved to new weapons unit.
Former CIA officer: If Russia, resounding intelligence success creating fear/paranoia US-wide/overseas.
Why bury? Political: acknowledging state actor is declaration of war; no appetite to respond to Russians.
2024 story with The Insider: Russian intelligence agent near Justice Dept. official's wife attack.
DoD, ODNI no comment or new comprehensive AHI review committed to truth.
Adversaries can reach US homes. Government owes Purple Heart for military victims acknowledging sacrifice affecting families.
Likely many devices; if bought from gangsters, Russians lost control – usable by anyone anywhere.
Purple Heart for military Havana syndrome victims not controversial (60 Minutes Overtime).
US/Israeli strikes on Iran second week; >50,000 US military in Operation Epic Fury. Struck 3,000 targets.
Major Garrett interview with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Speaker: Mission nearly accomplished. Hegseth: On track, not over; no "mission accomplished" banner. Overwhelming US/Israeli air forces. Shifting to conventional munitions (500lb, 1,000lb, 2,000lb gravity bombs) on military targets.
President: No deal with Iran except unconditional surrender. What does that
President Trump stated there will be no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender. Secretary Hegseth explained it means fighting to win, setting the terms, and continuing until Iran is combat ineffective and has no choice but to surrender. Surrender may not require a person-to-person admission due to pride; President Trump will set the terms. Iran's president called the US demand for unconditional surrender a dream to take to their grave. Hegseth referenced Iran's 8-year war with Iraq where they never surrendered, contrasting it with long fights in Iraq and Afghanistan using foolish approaches. This is about bringing the enemy to their knees, whether through a ceremony in Tehran Square or not.
Some supporters criticize President Trump, suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled the US into war not prioritizing American interests. Hegseth affirmed Trump prioritizes America, Americans, and American interests. Reports indicate Israel provided intelligence on February 23rd about Ali Hami and his inner circle's whereabouts, confirmed by CIA, precipitating the war. Hegseth confirmed intelligence from Israelis or US is always verified, with operations often trigger-based. The US controlled decisions to advance American interests and protect lives. Dismissed viewing it as opportunity rather than imminent threat as silly; Iran has killed Americans for 47-48 years with unabated nuclear ambitions. Operation Midnight Hammer at the end of the 12-day war obliterated their nuclear program, but they did not come to the table.
Iran's Remaining Nuclear Capabilities
International monitors estimate Iran has over 970 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium despite claims of obliterating infrastructure in June. Hegseth stated multiple ways to address it, as Iran used missiles to cover nuclear blackmail. The US will ensure nuclear ambitions are never achieved, without revealing options. On boots on the ground, timelines, or forces inside Iran, Hegseth refused to disclose to enemies or press, emphasizing willingness to go as far as needed. Denied current overt or covert forces inside Iran, consistent with earlier statement, but reserved all options.
CBS sources report Russia providing intelligence to Iran on US positions and movements. Hegseth said commanders track everything with the best intelligence, aware of communications and accuracy, factoring into CENTCOM plans. President Trump mitigates risks; anything improper is confronted strongly. Trump can deliver messages directly or indirectly to world leaders, unlike others. Russian involvement does not endanger US personnel; the US puts others in danger and mitigates as needed.
Six US Army reservists killed in Iranian drone attack in Kuwait last Sunday; Trump and Hegseth attended dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. One more service member death announced. Trump acknowledged casualties will occur and increase, stiffening resolve to finish the fight. Over 1600 Iranians killed per Human Rights Activists in Iran, including 168 mostly children at a school in southern Iran during US attacks. Under investigation; US never targets civilians unlike adversaries. Reports of likely US involvement denied as still under investigation; would state definitively if not US.
Iran announced a son of its slain leader will replace him. Trump said any leader without his approval won't last long. Hegseth clarified not a regime change war like George W. Bush style with hundreds of thousands of troops, rejecting remaking societies as in Afghanistan into Jeffersonian democracy, which failed. Trump called those wars dumb. Protecting potential Iranian leaders not a new mission; current US and Israeli efforts create generational opportunity for Iranians.
Iran launched missiles and drones at nearly a dozen Middle Eastern countries including allies Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia. Allies low on interceptors per reporting. Hegseth: very prepared to help restock, prioritizing US forces but assisting allies. CENTCOM's Admiral Cooper noted Iranian missile shots down 90%. Oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz (20% of world oil) stalled; US gas prices up nearly 50 cents/gallon. Trump said strait will be taken care of via American firepower; Iranian Navy largely no more, ability to project naval power diminishing. This is just the beginning.
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