Iran Hostage Crisis
On November 4th of 1979, several radical Iranian students captured the American Embassy complex that was stationed in the capital of Iran, Tehran. This event occurred just under a year after the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had been overthrown from the Iranian government (The US had supported said Shah). They performed the actions to send a message to the Carter Administration. They were unhappy with him for a while.
One example that triggered their anger toward him, is when Carter proposed a toast to the Shah and stated that he was adored by his people (this happened just before the overthrowing of the government). They had displayed these frustrations with the US by breaking the front windows of the American Embassy in Tehran with bullets and rocks on multiple occasions.
The FINAL cause that triggered these students to seize the complex was when Carter allowed the Shah into the US to receive medical attention. Those opposed to the Shah were outraged. Over the course of his 38 year ruling over Iran, Reza Pahlavi was only combatted by one other political figure: Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh.
The reason the US backed up Reza was because Mossadegh had announced policies that would affect the US's access to their oil, as well as hinting at possible Soviet influence. Thus, the US assisted Iran to overthrow Mossadegh from power, and Iran became allies with the US shortly after.
On Jan. 16 of 1979, the Shah fled Iran again, this time the Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini took power over the nation. He was strongly against the Carter Administration, and he even encouraged Anti-American demonstrations to be displayed on the streets of Iran. One very specific demonstration took place on November 4th of '79, and it would be known as the Iran Hostage Crisis.
An Anti-American student union seized the American Embassy in Tehran and held captive a total of 66 people. After a few weeks, the students showed their soft side, releasing some women, African-Americans, and even a sick guy. The hostages were often videotaped on camera, usually blindfolded or cover in hoods. While these students were NOT members of the military or government of Iran, their obvious devotion to Khomeini scared Americans and created an international crisis.
The Carter Administration planned to call for military action to free the hostages, but the USSR invaded Afghanistan, Iran's neighbor, right before the plan could initiate. This made the US unable to invade, as they felt maybe some sparks with the nearby USSR could ignite. However, the US did quit all trade and investments in Iran, as well as expelling any Iranian-Americans.
Americans showing their frustrations with the Iranians. "Deport All Iranians. ~Get the Hell out of My Country~" hahahaha
Operation Eagle Claw was a plan devised by Carter to free the hostages, but it was a complete failure and resulted in the death of 8 US military personnel. What had happened was, a rescue mission was set to land in Tehran and free the hostages, however an unexpected refueling session, some failed equipment, and reduced visibility from a sandstorm caused the mission to be called off. As the helicopter was about to turn around and head home, it crashed into a transport airplane, creating an explosion and killed 8 US military members.
On July 27th of 1980, the Shah passed away. Roughly two months later, Saddam Hussein and Iraq invaded Iran. Iran, desperate for help, agreed to negotiate with the US to free the hostages.
Exactly one year after the Iran Hostage Crisis began, the US Presidential Election took place, with Ronald Reagan winning over Jimmy Carter easily, as the incident ruined Carter's reputation.
444 days after the Iran Hostage Crisis began on November 4th of 1979, the hostages were released. The US agreed to release all freezed Iranian assets in American banks, provided that Iran free the US citizens.
Some Hostages being all hostage-y
MY THOUGHTS: This was a horrible incident, however it was good that no hostages were killed. I'm glad we were able to agree upon terms with Iran, although it is a shame that our relationship with Iran worsened due to the incident.
http://www.historyguy.com/iran-us_hostage_crisis.html
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