American businessman wrongfully imprisoned in Iran shares his ordeal

(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - American businessman Emad Shargi spoke with Margaret Brennan, on Sunday's 60 Minutes, about his harrowing ordeal after being wrongfully imprisoned in Iran.

For more than five years, Shargi was a prisoner of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He spent much of that time in the country's most notorious prison, in a dreaded ward run by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

"They took me to a room. They told me to strip naked. They gave me some blue garbs. They told me, 'This is the end of the line for you, and most likely you'll never see the outside world. From now on, nobody will address you by your name. You are a code now.' 97-0-10 was my code," Shargi shared.

Last month, Shargi and four other Americans were freed in a complicated deal involving $6 billion in restricted Iranian oil revenue. The deal drew criticism at the time for granting financial relief to a regime the U.S. government considers the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism.

Stark illustration

The deal also drew even more scrutiny after Hamas, which is financially supported by Iran, attacked Israel on October 7.

With more than 200 hostages remaining in Gaza, including some Americans, Shargi's ordeal is a stark illustration of the difficulties and perils involved in bringing American citizens home.

"I cannot imagine what it must feel like to have your daughter, your son, your wife, your father being taken hostage. And I cannot believe what's the families are going through. I just wish them a safe return home," Shargi expressed.

To watch more of Brennan's interview with Shargi, click here.