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The U.S. Hostage Crisis in IranThe U.S. Hostage Crisis in Iran
444 Days in Captivity
Background of the ShahBackground of the Shah First came to power
during WWII Deposed in the late
forties Reinstalled by a CIA-led
coup in 1953 approved by the Eisenhower administration
The “White Revolution”The “White Revolution” Divested the clergy of their vast landholdings Declared new rights for women
Right to voteRight to attend university
Dramatically increased urbanization and industrialization
Exiles the Ayatollah Khomeini after he criticizes the Shah
Westernize or Bust!Westernize or Bust!
Most Iranians did not want to abandon their rich heritage for Western Ways
Found inspiration in the sermons of Muslim leaders who denounced the material West
The Shah maintained control with harsh repression and brutality
SAVAK
Allah Hu Akbar, Marg Bar Shah!Allah Hu Akbar, Marg Bar Shah! Demonstrations
increased demanding the shah be deposed
Demonstrators demanded the return of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini
The country was out of control
Exit the Shah! Exit the Shah!
Offers the premiership to Dr. Shahpur Bahktiar Leaves the country January 16, 1979 The Ayatollah was invited back Tens of thousands of demonstrators demanded
the return of an Islamic state. Dr. Bahktiar leaves
Islamic State Returns Islamic State Returns Enemies of the Islamic Revolution are tried and
executed All political parties and organizations are banned Independent and non-Islamic newspapers are
closed. Banks and Industries are Nationalized.
Iranian Revolution EscalatesIranian Revolution Escalates
US interests in the Persian Gulf are threatened.
No access to Iranian OilCancellation of $7 billion of uncompleted arms contracts
Anti American sentiment runs high.
“Marg Bar Amrika!”“Marg Bar Amrika!” Sunday, November 4,
1979 the US Embassy in Teheran is stormed
Sixty-six hostages taken http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/
amex/carter/peopleevents/e_hostage.html
Oh Canada! Oh Canada! Six Americans seek
refuge at the Canadian Embassy
Tense moments Ottawa and Canadian
Embassy prepare to evacuate
Iran’s Hostage DemandsIran’s Hostage Demands
Return the Shah for trial Return the Shah’s wealth to the people of Iran Admission of guilt by the US An apology and promise to stay out of Iran’s
affairs.
President Carter’s ResponsePresident Carter’s Response Refused to send the
Shah back Froze all Iranian
Government financial assets
Forbade American companies from buying Iranian oil
13 hostages freed
U.S. Reaction to Hostage CrisisU.S. Reaction to Hostage Crisis
Demonstrations at the Iranian Embassy in the US
Record sales of Iranian flags, which were then burned
Iranian Americans were harassed
Renewed Sense of PatriotismRenewed Sense of Patriotism
CBS anchor Walter Cronkite http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/videoplayer/newVid/framesource_old.html?clip=/media/2001/01/19/video265570.rm
Hostages became a national obsession
Penelope Laingen and the yellow ribbon
America’s Frustration GrowsAmerica’s Frustration Grows
On April 7, President Carter announces the severing of diplomatic relations with Iran
Complete economic embargo Inventory of financial claims against Iran to be
paid from Iranian assets in the U.S. All Iranian diplomats are told to leave the country
in 24 hours.
Operation Eagle Claw Operation Eagle Claw April 24, 1980 8 helicoptors from the
Nimitz were to rendezvous with 6 transports at Desert One
Then fly to Desert Two to drive to Teheran where the CIA had arranged for several Iranians to help storm the embassy
U.S. Aircraft Carrier NimitzU.S. Aircraft Carrier Nimitz
Mission Aborted!Mission Aborted! The first mission for the newly
formed Delta Force Pilots did not have
experience, flying at night, flying low, and in sand storms.
The sandstorm disabled three helicoptors, one collided with a transport and both burst into flames killing eight Americans
President Carter Accepts Full BlamePresident Carter Accepts Full Blame
Little hope for a second attempt because the hostages were dispersed to various locations
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/peopleevents/e_hostage.html
Carter’s popularity sinks The Shah dies in July
“On Wings of Eagles”“On Wings of Eagles” Ross Perot’s hires Col.
Bull Simon to rescue two EDS employees in an Iran prison.
Successful mission Ken Follett novel
1980 Presidential Campaign1980 Presidential Campaign
The Reagan-Bush team realized that the hostage issue would determine the election
Americans needed to hear stirring phrases of national purpose, and believe in the future.
Wins by a landslide, Nov. 4 Started selling arms to the
Contra rebels in Nicaragua, using the money to pay Iran ransom
The Hostages are FreedThe Hostages are Freed Carter released $8 billion in
frozen Iranian assets the morning of the inauguration
The hostages board planes http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/
amex/carter/peopleevents/e_hostage.html
Where Are They Now?Where Are They Now? The Shah’s son is
attended school at USC Trained as a pilot in the
US Airforce Acknowledges some of
the evil that his father was accused of
Is gathering support to return to Iran