Secret push exposed: How Hegseth pressured rescued Iran’s F-15 airmen to appear on ’60 Minutes’

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his aides pressured both crew members of a downed F-15 to appear on CBS's 60 Minutes special about their rescue from Iran, according to insiders. The jet went down over Iranian territory in April, and both men survived, though one spent over 24 hours evading enemy patrols before assistance arrived.

Initially hesitant, one flyer, known as "Bravo," agreed to appear on camera, while his colleague, "Alpha," declined. Hegseth personally sat down with the airmen to discuss their participation, allowing them to make their own choices. This push for media appearances coincides with a broader effort to bolster support for the Iran campaign and counter criticism.

Although General Dan Caine expressed concerns about potentially tipping off adversaries, he ultimately agreed to participate. CBS secured the exclusive after a protracted bidding war, with CBS producer Keith Sharman and CBS News chief Bari Weiss playing crucial roles in securing the interview. Despite setbacks within CBS's own newsroom, the network managed to lock in the deal and film the interview in time for the September 13 season premiere.